My story…

I was first diagnosed with HIV on May 16, 2015 after going to the doctor because I was suffering with headaches and earaches. I was asked if I wanted an HIV test and I said, "Yes." I took an oral HIV test initially and it read positive. To be sure that there were no errors, they pricked my finger for a blood sample which read positive as well. I admit that I was a little depressed. First, I was on Stribild which was too strong for me. I was put on Biktarvy in 2018.

When I first found that I was (HIV) positive, my CD4 count was 240 and I was put on ARV. In a matter of two weeks, I returned to the doctor's office to check on how I was doing on the meds and my viral load was undetectable; I can't remember how high my CD4 count was, but I remember that it was significantly higher and close to normal. After seeing this, my willingness to live was the ultimate reason for why I agreed to continue treatment. I want to continue living a healthy life and continue being with my friends and family. I realized that the current treatment options today could help my condition whereas people before me did not have the same options.

In the beginning I thought that people would judge me and I worried about what people would think of me. I later found out that people are more educated today than they were in the past. Visibility from celebrities like Magic Johnson helped with my confidence. My doctor has always been supportive, too. To this day, my doctor keeps up with me and sends me words of affirmation through email. Also, my friends and family supported me after I told them about my status. I gotta stay healthy and keep looking good.

-Jose