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HIV/AIDS Resource Center for the Newly Diagnosed
Enrique Raul Bernadette Fortunata Heidi Greg Jack Ahmad Lucia
Newly Diagnosed? My Advice to You

Brian Datcher "My advice to someone who just found out that they're positive would be to tell them, don't feel like it's your fault that you made a mistake, and it's your fault and that life is over."

Brian Datcher,
New Haven, Conn.
Diagnosed in 1996


Aaron's HIV Journey

Aaron LaxtonI Refuse to Live With HIV in Silence

"I make my videos to help raise the awareness of HIV/AIDS, as well as to let people see the ups and downs related to HIV."


Telling Others You're Positive

Heidi Nass "Asking somebody, 'How'd you get it?' -- especially in a casual way -- to me is hard, because no matter what the answer is, it's personal. Breast milk is personal. Needles are personal. Sex is personal. It's no small thing to tell someone how you got HIV."

Heidi Nass,
Madison, Wis.
Diagnosed in 1996


HIV & Me: A Guide

These easy-to-read resources from TheBody.com will walk you through the first steps to take in your life with HIV.

HIV & Me: A Woman's Guide to Living With HIV

Take a Poll

HIV positive? Generally speaking, how has your relationship with your family changed since you were diagnosed?
It got better
It got worse
It got worse at first, but now it's better
It started out better, but then went downhill
It hasn't changed


Keith Green
Ed Viera
David P. Lee
Antionetta Etienne
Yolanda Reed
James Nicacio
Loreen Willenberg
 You're Not Alone
Precious Jackson
Michelle Lopez
Kathleen Gerus-Darbison
Larry Bryant
Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks

Things to Know

Connect With Others

Positive and Trying Hard to Be Positive About It

(A recent post by wishingforacure on the "I Just Tested Positive" board)

"I have been getting HIV tests since I was 16 and was always negative. I had unprotected sex a few times but every year the test came back negative. I kept it a secret from my family. I finally told them last month. How do you all stay positive and have the will to live and fight through this?"


I Realize How Much Has Changed, But I'm Still Really Scared.

(A recent post by StillSearching on the "I Just Tested Positive" board)

"I simply couldn't believe the doctors when they told me I could still live a normal life and that I didn't need to worry. But the more I researched, the more I realized how much has changed since the '80s/'90s. It helped me a great deal to see how far treatments have come."



Things to Do

Ask the Body's Experts

Shannon R. SouthallWhat are some safe sexual activities for serodiscordant couples?

Shannon R. Southall responds

Ben Young, M.D., Ph.D.What tests should I know to ask for?

Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D., responds


Starting Your Journey With HIV
Rae Lewis-Thornton

Renowned speaker, blogger and advocate Rae Lewis-Thornton has been living with HIV/AIDS for more than 25 years -- and she's learned a lot about survival along the way. In this video, Rae shares wisdom from a long life with HIV/AIDS, especially for those who've just found out they're HIV positive.


Read Advice and Guidance

After You've Tested PositiveThese excellent guides from Project Inform will help you adjust to your diagnosis and prepare for what comes next.
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