Day one:
After you've tested positive

May 2008     View PDF     En español

A positive HIV antibody test is scary news but it’s not a death sentence. As better therapies continue to be developed, it’s entirely possible to live out a normal lifespan after testing positive. The key to living a long life with HIV is availing yourself of health care and suitable therapies.

A positive result is an important medical message that may help you save and extend your life. Whether you took the test or not, sooner or later you would have learned of your HIV status.

If you learn by testing, you have a chance to slow or prevent some of the possible health outcomes. Even if you didn’t get tested, HIV would present itself at some point as an infection or damage to your immune system. And, if you had waited for HIV disease to present itself, many of your best medical options would already be lost.

Most testing sites provide counseling to help people handle the news. The real work, however, is up to you. Given the right attitude and the right information, most people can live for a long, long time. Getting informed and taking charge of your health will help you make the best of your situation.

This publication can help you with the things you need to do:

• Develop a strategy to adapt to your new situation;
• Learn more about HIV and how it can affect you;
• Understand the medical tests you’ll use;
• Find ways to promote and maintain your health; and
• Learn how to use the services at Project Inform.

Reading this publication is a good first step. It’s a little long, but it’s worth the time. It’s about saving your life.