I just got tested positive for HIV and idk what to do
Long story short i slept with a random woman a year ago because i was a virgin at 22 and just wanted to get it over with, after the deed i noticed the condom broke but didn’t think much of it.
Then a few weeks ago i started having weird symptoms, i went on google to check and it turns out they’re early hiv infection symptoms, then my jaw dropped when i remembered the condom breaking.
I immediately went to get tested. And BOOM! HIV Positive. I’m confused, terrified and absolutely helpless, i still haven’t told anyone yet, not even my parents.
I was already having mental health issues before all of this but now i’m crushed, i’ll never get to experience relationships, i’ll never feel normal ever again, all of this because i pressured myself to lose my virginity.
Any kind words would be appreciated.
Netizens’ comments
- Get a re-test. The odds of a man catching it from PIV one time especially with a condom likely containing N-9 even if it slipped are pretty darned low.
- Hi! Pharmacist in training here:
I completely understand where you’re coming from when you say that this is a daunting thing to accept. I can’t imagine the stress you must be under, but I do have some things that may be worthwhile to look into.
First and foremost, it is incredibly rare for HIV to be transmitted via va—-l intercourse, so it may be worthwhile to take another test for confirmation. If you took an over the counter test, it may be best to find a location that offers more thorough laboratory testing.
However, if you can say with certainty that you are HIV positive, then just know that your life doesn’t end here. While it is a chronic condition, it is now manageable and no longer carries the weight if being labeled (please forgive my lack of better phrasing) a “death sentence.”
With proper pharmacological maintenance therapy, you can suppress your viral load to the point of it being deemed “undetectable” in your system, which ultimately means untransmissible!
I have met many patients who are leading fulfilling, happy lives despite having been diagnosed with HIV. They’re some of the most successful, high-spirited individuals I know, and they certainly aren’t going to let an illness define them.
You are just as capable and just as deserving of that happiness, and should you need any direction to any resources to get there, I’d be more than happy to provide you with some! - Hey! Get a retest. False positives happen. I had one and it was super stressful. But confirmation exams were done and im not positive. But i get what youre feeling. It almost destroyed my relationship, but me and GF were confident it was a mistake. And after multiple tests, turns out it was a false positive.