The H Word

amandrogynous

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine unexpectedly tested positive for HIV. It has been a difficult time, coping with the news. Thankfully, as I keep reminding his friends and family, HIV is not a death sentence anymore. Treatment has come a long way since the 80s. I'm just still in shock and heartbroken that he is having to face this.
How do you support your loved ones with HIV/AIDS?

bathsheba_c

I'd assume you do it the same way you support someone with any other illness. Make sure to keep in regular contact (lots of people fade away for fear of saying the wrong thing) and let the other person talk as much or as little as they want about the situation.

Hbazzell

My ex bf is an AIDS researcher and his team found a vaccine that works in 70% of apes. Once it gets approved for safety they are going to do trials in already affected populations in Africa and see if their number goes down. the success with monkeys was amazing though. I really feel that with his work and people like him we can see and end to this disease in our lifetime. Alos, i have a good friend living with it and he also got anal cancer (common with HIV) but he had the cancer removed and came out of it. He is doing very well! 15 years ago this would have been a death sentence but medicine has come very far. I wish the best health for your friend. i also encourage you to help him/her find a support community. Dating is especially hard with that disease so meeting other people with the same issue opens that up and also gives a venue to ask questions you amy not want to ask anyone else.

amandrogynous

Thanks for your encouragement, Hbazzell. I've heard a lot about AIDS vaccines in the works and it gives me hope.
I guess the significant thing that makes this situation different from someone with any other illness is that this friend contracted the disease through IV drugs and sex with prostitutes--something none of us knew was going on. He is going to rehab for drug use but I'm scared that he'll keep using and it will kill him. I'm also angry because he's been hiding this from everyone. HIV is a consequence of his actions, a consequence I hope will keep him off drugs/prostitutes but, nevertheless it is lifetime sentence for a few years of indiscretion.