There are heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual people living with HIV HIV does not discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and genders regardless of their sexuality.
HIV is a death sentence – I’m going to die
There have been many advances in HIV treatments over the years and HIV is not the death sentence it was once thought to be. There are many HIV positive people living healthy and productive lives.
I don’t think I am going to get through this
Coming to terms with being HIV positive is not easy, however there are many people who are HIV positive leading full and active lives. There are many services that can provide you with counselling and put you in touch with other HIV positive people, and this may help you to get through this. There is also information in this booklet on coping strategies, and you may find some of the ideas useful.
I am going to infect the people I love
Many people have this fear when they are first diagnosed, but being HIV positive does not mean you are going to infect the people you love. HIV can only be transmitted through unprotected sex, from mother to child usually at delivery, through breast milk and direct blood contact. It is not passed on by hugging, kissing, sharing cups, touching, rubbing or massage.
I don’t know who to tell
It’s advisable not to rush out and tell people straight away (there are some circumstances where you are legally required to tell people, however you may wish to tell your partner, friends or family. There are many people you can talk to including your doctor, Peer Support Workers at your local AIDS Council, or other HIV positive people. These people can be a good starting point when you are trying to figure out who to tell and how to tell them.
HIV only affects people living in cities
HIV does not only affect people living in large cities. There are HIV positive people living in small towns, rural communities and major cities in every state and territory around Australia.
I’ll never be able to have children
HIV positive people have the right to have children. In fact, there are many HIV positive women and a growing number of HIV positive men who have made the decision to have children. Thanks to the advances in our knowledge of HIV, there are ways that the risk of transmission can be reduced from mother to child and ways that HIV positive men can father children without passing on the virus.
Nobody will ever want to have sex with me again
HIV positive people have the right to a full and active sex life. Being HIV positive does not mean that your partner or a potential partner will automatically reject you. In fact many people say that when they shared the news, they received support and it led to a greater level of intimacy in their relationships.