Email 219: Got Tested and Scared! ~ Living with HIV in the Philippines

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Email 219: Got Tested and Scared!

Posted by Pozziepinoy on 7:34 PM

Hi Pozziepinoy.

I am HIV positive and I am scared ;( My CD4 is 364. What should I do? I was tested a week ago.

XXX

POZZIEPINOY'S REPLY

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for finding the blog.

I know it came as a shock to you when you found out the result the result of your test. I understand what you are feeling right now as I have experienced what you are experiencing right now. I know it is hard to accept at first but you can't do anything about it now. You now have to face the truth that you have it and you have to do something about your health right now.

The very first thing to do is to find an HIV/AIDS treatment hub nearest you. This is the palce where you can get consultaion with the HIV doctor, get medicines if they are already needed and get all your lab work done. You can check this link:

HIV/AIDS TREATMENT HUBS

Once you are there, the HIV doctor will give you directions on what you need to do next.

Second, read all about the HIV treatment in the country. Empower yourself with the knowledge about the basics of HIV, the ARV's, how to deal with the side effects of ARV's, the treatment protocol here in the country, health tips, etc. By doing so, you are preparing yourself with the first part of the process which is the ARV treatment.

Third, be optimistic. Don't add more stress to your condition. Always have a positive perspective about it. Assert to yourself that:

1. HIV is not a death sentence anymore

2. Treatment is FREE in the country.

3. There are outstanding HIV doctors all over the country now.

4. There are HIV/AIDS treatment hubs that are ready to serve you.

5. There are a lot of people living with HIV (PLHIV's) who are living for years and decades now.

6. If you believe in the ARV's, your doctors and yourself, then there is hope for you, that you will continue living your life to the fullest and reach all your dreams.

Life is precious. Life with HIV is almost the same as life without it if you look at it from a different perspective. The only difference is that we now have to make an effort to make our lives more healthy so that we can achieve everything that we want to achieve. Trust me, you too can overcome the struggles that come with HIV. All you have to do is to believe!

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy