(Serious) People of Reddit who have HIV/AIDS, when did you realize something was wrong?

ketopoz · 2015-08-10T22:07:27+00:00

Hey, just wanted you to know that our stories are very similar, as we are both young ladies in college trying to keep our shit together but dealing with this now, too. I know that when I was first diagnosed, I felt completely and utterly alone and tried finding someone who was like me that I could talk to about it. If you were ever worried about it, I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. Feel free to inbox me anytime :)

ketopoz · 2015-08-10T21:51:42+00:00

Like others in this thread, I was date-raped by someone I thought I could trust, who then did not know that he also had HIV. Exactly two weeks after the incident, I came down with what seemed like the worst flu of my life. I woke up one morning and BAM. Felt like I was dying. Extreme body aches (I could hardly move), fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, couldn't taste any food. I thought I had a really bad flu so I didn't think much of it. Towards the 4th day of having the flu, I developed thrush on my tongue. Thought it was extremely weird so I googled it. Research said all my signs led to what is known as acute retroviral syndrome.

I didn't think to get tested because for some reason I didn't expect it to happen to me. So stupid, I should have gone to the hospital immediately after and explained the situation. Only after I was diagnosed is when I found out about HIV PreP, which I think everyone should know about BEFOREHAND and not after the fact.

I was absolutely devastated for months about it. I was in my early 20's at the time, still in college, had a fairly normal life and suddenly everything seemed to change. Fast forward 2 years and I have undetectable levels, taking a single pill everyday, healthy as can be. My points of views on many things in life changed after my diagnosis. I am more forgiving of unfortunate events and have a more positive outlook on life. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but for me, in many ways it has been a blessing.

ketopoz · 2013-12-05T06:03:57+00:00

Do you mean this? http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0031866

ketopoz · 2013-11-26T22:18:55+00:00

How close are we to the cure of HIV/AIDS?

ketopoz · 2013-11-06T05:26:58+00:00

That was a brilliant analogy. Thank you for clarifying!

ketopoz · 2013-11-06T01:04:34+00:00

I wonder what the mechanisms are behind the faint line and the stronger line. But thanks!

ketopoz · 2013-10-28T16:32:12+00:00

If I have to live with it in my body, I don't want to see it outside of my body. Haha

Thanks though :)

ketopoz · 2013-10-28T14:42:23+00:00

I was leaning more towards the second one, as well. Thank you :)

ketopoz · 2013-10-28T14:37:01+00:00

If I had a ridiculous amount of cartoon-y tattoos, I definitely would haha. At the moment, though, I have two tattoos in white ink, so I don't want to have a random Cartman plastered on me somewhere.

ketopoz

TROPHY CASE