Find Ways to Cope with Your Diagnosis

To find out that you are HIV positive can let loose a bunch of emotions. These can include shock, fear, guilt, shame, anger — the list goes on. And yes, testing positive can certainly be devastating news. While there is no cure for HIV infection, there are many HIV treatment choices available today.

HIV treatments are helping people with HIV live longer.

Just because you have HIV doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dreams. Think about what matters most to you:

Remember, you may have HIV, but don't let HIV have you!

Where to begin

To begin to cope with your diagnosis, you may find it helpful to talk to someone else who has HIV. You can learn a lot from their experiences. This could include how they were able to cope with their HIV diagnosis or how they told others of their HIV status. You could ask how they found a doctor or HIV specialist, and where they find information and support. If you don’t already know someone who has HIV, your local AIDS Service Organization (ASO) can help. They can put you in contact with someone who has HIV or with an HIV support group.

Revealing your status

When you first find out that you have HIV, you'll need to make the adjustment to this big change in your life. Know that you are not alone. Someone else living with HIV or family members and friends might be able to help you, or you could talk with an HIV counselor or a support group.

It can be difficult to know who to tell that you are HIV positive. No matter how hard it seems, telling others about your HIV diagnosis can be good. Telling those you trust may help you feel that you do not need to hide from the world or live in shame. You may find that those you tell support you. Their support could help you cope with your diagnosis and encourage you to take good care of your health.

A key part of revealing your status once you find out you are HIV positive is to tell your sexual partners. If you are an injection drug user, you should also tell anyone with whom you have shared needles. They may have been exposed to the HIV virus and need to know so they can be tested. Work with your healthcare provider to determine how to notify your partners. Anonymous notification systems exist. These let your partners know they may have been exposed but not by whom.

Take your time to decide who to tell about your status and how you will approach them. For more help with revealing your status, read this helpful fact sheet.

Next: Working Closely with Your Healthcare Provider