Many people, like you, have mixed emotions when they first learn that they are infected. First of all, the blood screening test is the initial test, and it is still necessary to go through a follow-up test to determine whether the infection is present.
If the follow-up test is positive, it means that you have HIV, which means that you have HIV, and people with HIV are different from AIDS.
1. I feel sullen, sad, and even want to cry
Many people, like you, have mixed emotions when they first learn that they are infected.
Find a person you trust the most, let him accompany you first, talk, chat, let your emotions be expressed, eased, and the trusted person can make you feel at ease.
Give yourself some time to settle down, think about it again, and try to clarify your emotions, is it worry, fear? Or helpless?
2. Am I not alive for long?
That's not true! First of all, saliva screening is a preliminary test, and follow-up tests are still necessary to determine whether there is infection. If the follow-up test is positive, it means that you have HIV, which means that you have HIV, and people with HIV are different from AIDS.
The HIV virus destroys the body's immune system, and once the immunity drops to a certain level, the body appears to have symptoms of opportunistic infections, such as oral candida infection, pneumocystis pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma, etc., which is called AIDS. Even if the disease occurs, these symptoms can be treated as soon as medical attention is pursued.
More importantly, with the advancement of medicine, now infected with HIV, as long as they take the medicine stably, the physical condition of the infected person will not deteriorate, and they can still work, study, and live their daily lives as before.
3. I'm worried about being known by my family, and my family doesn't know that I'm gay
When there is still prejudice in society, it is not easy to come out of the closet as a gay or infected person. If you are not ready, it is advisable to keep it confidential (properly store your medical checklist, medicine list, medicine bag, etc.) to give yourself a buffer.
Some infected people are able to come out with their families. If your family has always been close to you, and your family's support is important and you can take some time to prepare for coming out.
When you learn more about HIV/AIDS and the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, you can tell your family members that you can respond to their worries and help them understand and accept you. Coming out as a gay identity is similar, it takes time to prepare.
4. Do I need to tell my partner? Will he leave me?
For intimate partners, partner notification is a more complex issue. There is no standard answer to whether you can continue to be together after telling your partner that you are infected, but it depends on how much he knows about HIV, and it is also related to the intimacy and communication patterns between you. Sometimes, it also involves a relationship of trust with each other.
With what you know about your partner, what are the questions or concerns he might have? How would you answer? Discuss with your best friend and prepare and rehearse first, so that you can have a better response and be more mentally prepared to take care of your emotions after being informed.
5. Should I take medicine immediately?
According to the current international trend, infected people can start taking medication after they are found to be infected to reduce the impact on immunity. However, many infected people will consider the following factors when starting to take medicine, such as: Are you ready to start taking medicine?
Is my living condition suitable for stable medication? Whether the body has become uncomfortable, etc. We recommend that you take the initiative to discuss with your doctor and personal manager whether to start taking medication.
6. I heard that taking medicine will cause side effects and make my body sad?
Cocktail therapy for HIV does have side effects for some people, and it varies depending on each person's body type. Usually side effects occur at the beginning of taking the medication, and the side effects of different drugs are different, and your body will feel uncomfortable as it adjusts to these medications. After the adaptation period, most people will experience a reduction in their discomfort.
If the side effects do not alleviate or interfere with your daily life, please be sure to contact your doctor and personal manager to discuss changing the medication or other treatments.
7. Will my work be affected?
Before the onset of infection, the physical condition was not much different from the past, and it did not affect the work. What you have to face is to find a good reason for you to take leave to go to the hospital smoothly when you return to the appointment.
Usually, the problems encountered by infected people in the workplace will be when the company requires a medical examination:
First of all, you can check whether there is HIV in the blood test item, and if so, pay special attention to the medical examination result report. According to the law, only the person concerned can get a report of his or her medical examination results, and if the employer asks for a probation, it is illegal.
Again, avoid the group inspection time arranged by the company or inspection unit, and it is best to arrange a separate physical examination time by yourself. Then, ask the inspection unit to send the physical examination report directly to you, and do not forward it through the company.