Newly diagnosed

Being diagnosed as HIV positive is a life-changing experience. It can make you feel any number of different emotions such as surprise, anger and fear.

You might begin to question your future when this happens and start re-living your past sexual behaviour.

This is perfectly normal and it is natural for you to start thinking: 'What if?' and 'If only'. The important thing to remember is that there is no right way to react - it's your diagnosis and you should take time to explore how you feel and take steps to stay as healthy as you can.

Lots of people have similar thoughts such as wondering if they’ll ever have sex again, how long until they become ill and wondering whether others will be able to tell that they have HIV. By visiting this page you’ve taken the first steps towards understanding the answers to these questions. You’ll come to see that HIV is a part of your life but not your whole life.

You might feel numb or overwhelmed after a diagnosis, especially if it was unexpected. There are many people to help you at this point and it is a good idea to take up the post-test counselling that you would have been offered at the time of the test. Ask as many questions as you like and if you cannot take everything in, don't worry - you can ask them again another time when you are better able to listen and understand what is happening to you.

It is up to you how much support you want at this stage and it is important that you feel comfortable with whoever you go to for help. If you feel that you are struggling with the news, there are many professionals you can go to for advice. A good place to start is THT Direct.

Being told that you have HIV does not mean that you are suddenly going to die and you won't necessarily have to start medication straight away. Your body can fight the virus by itself for some time and your doctor will monitor you so that you start medication at the best time for your health.

The medicines aren’t perfect but they are getting better all of the time. New developments in HIV medication are being made all of the time. It doesn't mean giving up on sex, friendships or relationships and if you look after yourself you could very well have a similar lifespan as you would have had without HIV.

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5 comments

Very clear and precise explanation
Posted 20:48 Sun 29 Jul 2012 by Durham180266
I was told on the 10/10/2012 that i have HIV i was surprise and shocked i was not looking for this at all i am also angry and dont know what to do next
Posted 12:28 Fri 12 Oct 2012 by sunshinegirl
very shocked to here that i have hiv, i feel very angry at myself
Posted 22:15 Thu 15 Nov 2012 by goldengirl
My world stopped temporarily on 02/10/2012 when my partner was diagnosed. On the 25/10/2012 I was told I too was HIV positive. We are totally devastated!
Posted 13:49 Sun 09 Dec 2012 by Shelley
also very shocked of the recent news 4 days before xmas and scared alone and didt want to tell anyone felt like id been in a huge road accident and il never recover but xmas day in evening i broke down as family all around me and my daughter age 25 was such a huge support over me telling her this news and even thou ive been throu many emotions in the last three weeks the best thing about this is family pulled closer to support me and my closst friends didt abandon me im very lucky to have this support as really could of gone the other way and il be there to support other not so lucky as me and meeting people with hiv at the tht trust has helped me alot you dont have to be alone with this so please dont be. thank you for your great support from littlewuu
Posted 14:13 Thu 10 Jan 2013 by littlewuu