Getting your bearingsSo you’ve found out that you’re HIV positive.

Getting your bearings

Getting your bearingsSo you’ve found out that you’re HIV positive.

Hopefully, you’ve already heard that people with HIV are usually able to live long and well these days, thanks to huge improvements in treatment. (If not, we’re telling you now.)

Even so, finding out you have HIV is stressful. No matter how much good news there is, you still have to work through the shock of your diagnosis at your own pace, in your own way.

Right now, you may want to know everything there is to know about HIV. On the other hand, learning more may be the last thing you want to do!

Let’s take it one step at a time. You don’t need to become a medical expert overnight; just knowing some of the basics about HIV can help you a lot. Understanding more about your condition allows you to take charge of your health. And it helps you work better with your doctor.

What are HIV and AIDS?

HIV is a virus that weakens your immune system, your body’s built-in defense against diseases. Although your immune system is supposed to protect you from infections, HIV can sneak past it. HIV then attacks your immune system from the inside. If your immune system gets weak enough, you can get very sick from other infections. Generally, if you get sick with one of these infections you are considered to have AIDS.

Just because you have HIV does not mean you will get sick. Most people with HIV can stay healthy for a long time when they get proper care and treatment.