HIV-Positive? Read This!

Being diagnosed with any sort of major illness may have you feeling like the sky is falling, the ground is shattering right beneath your feet, or your stomach is in your butt. Getting diagnosed with HIV may have you feeling like all of the above, times a hundred. Being HIV-positive is not as scary as it may seem, and can be managed and controlled in order for you to live a happy, healthy life. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is an autoimmune disease which leads the immune system to be more susceptible to catching other diseases and infections. HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a further progressed stage of HIV, if left untreated.

There is a great deal of stigma and many misconceptions surrounding people with HIV/AIDS, such as: people that have HIV contracted it irresponsibly, that they are somehow “dirty” or “tainted”, or that only certain groups of people can contract this disease. The misconception that HIV is solely associated with queer indiviuals (specifically gay men) plays a large role in the stigma behind queer relationships and sex, and is an incorrect association to make. Individuals of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations can contract HIV/AIDS. This disease can be transmitted through through pentrative sex, sharing needles or other items that go directly into the bloodstream, or through breastfeeding. Some ways to prevent contracting HIV are: protect yourself during sex (condoms, get tested for STIs regularly), don’t share needles or syringes with others, and take HIV preventative medications such as pre-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure prophylaxis.

Being diagnosed with this disease, especially in the beginning stages, can be a major source of stress, depression, and anxiety for many, especially in the midst of COVID-19, but individuals with HIV/AIDS are not alone in this journey. There are many resources available to anyone who may need support regarding their mental health, such as the Health & Wellness Centre on campus (where an appointment can be made with a counselor, nurse, or doctor), Good2Talk.ca, a 24/7 phone line for mental health support available exclusively for University students, and the My SSP App, that can be downloaded on your phone, and provides UTSC students with counseling services, free of charge, 24/7. These resources will be linked below, and are available from the comfort of your own home.

Doctors and other licensed professionals, such as therapists, can help individuals working through various stages of their diagnosis and provide the necessary support. Any further progression of the disease can be prevented with HIV medicine, and resources for mental health such as counseling and support groups are available through them as well. With the proper medical attention and treatment, those with HIV can definitely live normal, healthy lives.

Resources:

Health & Wellness Centre: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hwc/health-wellness-centre

Good2Talk: https://good2talk.ca/

Download My SSP App: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hwc/my-ssp-app

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Sources:

• Content Source: HIV.govDate last updated: June 05, 2. (2020, June 18). What Are HIV and AIDS? Retrieved December 27, 2020, from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids

• HIV Basics. (2020, November 03). Retrieved December 27, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html

• UTSC Homepage. (n.d.). Retrieved January 02, 2021, from https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hwc/mental-health-resources-0