Positive and Past 50: Words of Wisdom to My Newly Diagnosed Self

Mark S. King, 51, Atlanta, Ga.; Diagnosed in 1985

I know you're afraid, Mark. OK, since it's 1985, I imagine you're terrified. I remember that terror and I remember how we wondered who would get sick next, when you would die and if your death would look as horrible as the others. You may not believe me, or you may be trying to have the strength to dare to believe me, but you're going to dodge all of this (most of it, anyway). So go see a movie. Call your mom. Try not to stifle your fear with sex, food and drugs. Oh yeah, about the drugs. Here's a real tip: You're going to live, so take better care of yourself. Sleep. Laugh. And when you're standing in line for a movie in 1991, and your date offers to let you try crystal meth, please don't, okay? There. I just saved you a decade of misery of your own design.

Mark S. King is a longtime, outspoken HIV advocate and blogger for TheBody.com. Watch his videos and read his blog, My Fabulous Disease.