HIV/Aids centre

I'm HIV-positive. What now?

Few things strike fear in our hearts like the diagnosis of a serious disease such as cancer or a positive HIV test. When you first find out that you have HIV, you may feel very angry and confused. Some people feel very sad, and some go into shock and may feel numb. Many people feel totally overwhelmed and helpless.

It's important to realise that you are undergoing a crisis, so these feelings are normal. Accept them, because feeling this way is part of coming to terms with your HIV status. The strength of these feelings will lessen over time but you may sleep badly, not feel like eating, and be tearful for a few weeks after being told you have HIV. If these feelings persist for more than three weeks, contact the LifeAssist call centre on your EWP number for help.

Getting HIV medical care soon after diagnosis will help preserve the strength of your immune system, thereby delaying the progression of HIV to Aids. See an HIV specialist even if you don't feel sick. While not everyone needs HIV medications right away, an HIV specialist will examine you, take blood tests to assess the strength of your immune system, and educate you about the disease.

Take control of your physical, emotional, social and spiritual life:

• Find out about how to live positively with HIV
• Share your feelings with your counsellor
• Join a support group
• Attend an HIV clinic. Phone the Life Assist call centre on your EWP number or your local provincial hospital and ask them where the nearest HIV clinic is
• Set goals for the future
• Put aside some time every day to relax
• Tackle your problems one at a time. Trying to solve them all at once is stressful, and stress lowers your immune system
• Find out as much as you can about HIV and Aids, antiretroviral medication and your own health
• Make sure that you get treatment for infections quickly to keep your immune system stronger
• Remember to use condoms to protect yourself from other infections. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) –can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get re-infected with HIV. If you do pick up an STD, get it treated as soon as possible. It's very important to finish your treatment, and to get your partner treated too, otherwise he or she will just give it to you again!
• Exercise for at least 20 minutes three times a week
• Eat a well-balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables
• Take a multivitamin supplement
• Don't smoke cigarettes, drink too much alcohol, abuse prescription painkillers, or use illegal drugs – it will complicate your HIV treatment.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EWP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about HIV and Aids. Call us on the EWP number or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .