Positive Bolton People

Dealing With Your Diagnosis

If you have just found out you're HIV positive, you're probably experiencing a range of different emotions and our experience tells us that they're not likely to be positive: at least in the first instance.

However, thanks to new treatments, many people living with HIV lead a relatively normal life.

Don't Go It Alone

Don't try to deal with things on your own. Finding the right support is essential. Professional and confidential advice is always available from your clinic or doctor and they are there to help you.

Do think carefully about how, when or if to tell your friends, family and colleagues. Their reactions can be unpredictable. See telling others for more advice.

It will take time for you to learn to cope, but the difficult times you experience now are just one part of what will be a lifelong journey. And it will get better. HIV will not always be the first thing on your mind.

Things To Consider

Get clued-up with the latest information from a reliable source; especially if you’re using the internet. Your Doctor, or the Sexual Health Clinic is an excellent source of up to date and accurate information.

For treatments information try www.aidsmap.com
For HIV facts and people’s stories try www.namlife.org
To get in touch with the online community try www.myhiv.org.uk

Don't go it alone. A trusted friend, family member or partner can provide you with the support you need.

Keep records of the information that your doctor gives you, whether it's practical information, or just the date of your next appointment. Change causes anxiety, not the best circumstances for taking in important information. Being organised will help you to cope better with all the information that's being thrown at you. Remember that you can always contact your doctor and ask for further details if you need to.

Remember that you’re not a different person just because you have found out that you have HIV, respect yourself and respect others.

Bad Ideas...

Immediately telling everyone. Not everyone needs to know. There is a time and a place which will be best for you and, most importantly, them.
Becoming a recluse. Maintain your usual social and work contacts is an important way of keeping your life as normal as possible. Cutting yourself off from the people who are best placed to help isn't recommended.
Taking sole responsibility for someone else's care. Ask for help. Share the responsibility and enjoy maintaining your relationships. Maintain your day-to-day routine.
Hiding behind alcohol and drugs. These are very temporary helps at best. If you come to depend upon them, it could make coping more difficult in the longer term.
Panic. Many other people are HIV positive. You're not alone and you aren't the first person to receive a diagnosis. There's plenty of help available.

HIV news from aidsmap.com

Experts publish recommendations on managing low-level but detectable HIV
An international panel of scientists reviewed the evidence to construct a framework of recommendations on the management of low-level but detectable HIV. The guidance, published in The Lancet HIV by Dr Tommaso Clemente and colleagues, brings together evidence from a scoping review and expert judgement in order to create a shared point of reference for clinicians.
>> Read more

From ‘life span’ to ‘health span’ – new guidelines for ageing with HIV in South Africa
New clinical guidelines for the care of older people with HIV shift the focus from viral suppression to overall health. As the world’s population of people over 50 years old living with HIV grows, it becomes increasingly important to understand how HIV and geriatric medicine interact.
>> Read more

Modelling study backs targeted, not universal, lenacapavir PrEP for pregnancy and breastfeeding
Targeted deployment of twice-yearly lenacapavir for pregnant and breastfeeding women without HIV in high-incidence districts in sub-Saharan Africa could substantially reduce vertical transmission at a fraction of the cost of universal rollout, according to a modelling study published in the Journal of the International AIDS Society. But the authors say lenacapavir should be seen as complementary to, not a substitute for, strengthening existing programmes to prevent vertical transmission.
>> Read more

Contact emma@positiveboltonpeople.org.uk for further information.

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