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I JUST FOUND OUT I AM HIV POSITIVE
This is a pivotal point in your life. It’s normal for you to feel many kinds of feelings; fear, frustration, anger, confusion.
HOWEVER…
You DO NOT have to face this dilapidating disease by yourself. There are many people and organization available to assist and guide you on how to live a very PRODUCTIVE LIFE while managing HIV002E.
Check out You Are Not Alone provided by Body Positive.
Also check out Just Diagnosed provided by The Body.
You may also want to check out Visionary Health Concepts at www.freehivinfo.com/.
Visit the HIV/AIDS Resource Directory provided by African American Planning Commission.
Many things have changed about HIV during the years. Most notably, the newer medications are SAVING lives. HIV Infection IS NO LONGER A CERTAIN DEATH SENTENCE. It is becoming a chronic illness that often can be managed through the medications and other means.
You will be making MANY LIFE CHOICES in the near future and these choices will DEFINITELY IMPACT not only the quality of your life, but actually HOW LONG YOU LIVE. Adherence to your medical treatment and the medications that are prescribed to you is the one most important task facing you, while other life habits and choices may also be altered.
Here are some hints to help you with your choices:
There are so many resources available today on the Internet. You do not have to fight this battle alone or in silence. Most of the programs available today were developed by persons living with the disease and those who understand the various issues that affect your daily life.
Here are some web sites that can give you more information about being newly diagnosed.
- The Center for AIDS: Hope and Remembrance Project, found on The Body, provides HIV-Positive people with a short, but powerful list of "25 Things You Should Know if You Are HIV-Positive." http://www.thebody.com/cfa/top25/top25.html?m40h
- Project Inform’s introductory packet is a great starting place for people newly diagnosed with HIV. Features articles and facts sheets on treatment strategies, doctor/patient relationships, and more. Also available in Spanish. www.projectinform.org/intro.html
- GMHC I am…. Newly diagnosed -- This is a great web site which gives those who are newly diagnosed with guide on how to handle the first year. www.gmhc.org/quickguides/newly_diagnosed.html
- Just Diagnosed with HIV? The Body’s starting place for people newly diagnosed with HIV. Articles on understanding HIV, choosing and working with a physician, first steps to treatment, telling others, and more. www.thebody.com/learning.html
- You just found out you’re HIV Positive- This is a web site from UCSF which has real helpful connections to other web sites for those who are recently diagnosed. www.hivinsite.com
- Positive living: A practical guide for people with HIV- Prepared by the Seattle and King county Department of Public Health. Also available in Spanish. www.metrokc.gov/health/apu
- The Thrive Guide- A survival manual for young people living with HIV, from health initiatives for youth. Includes “In the beginning: What to do first”, as well as information on making treatment decisions, getting emotional support, and planning for the future. www.whatudo.org/whatudo?page=learn-01-09
If your organization would like to be listed in our resource directory or if you know of an organization that should be listed, please feel free to add them. Thank you
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