John

I am 23, a professional and HIV positive. I found out on Christmas Eve 2003, needless to say it was a shock to the system as I was at work when I was told (so confident was I that the result would be negative).

A day or two later I returned to the clinic to have the relevant blood tests - namely viral load and CD4 counts amongst others. I still don't know my results at this time so I can't impact this on my health.

I feel pretty much OK. I haven't told anyone except my partner who has accepted it fully and nothing has changed in our relationship. I plan to tell my parents and two very close friends soon.

However, I have had some poor experiences with Health care professionals. I was immediately removed from my Dentist's list for being HIV positive (something which I thought would never happen), whenever I now go to the doctors for even a minor ailment I am immediately referred to the HIV clinic.

All of this I can accept. I do feel sometimes that if you don't live in London and have HIV it is discrimination in itself. There is little in the way of support groups in my area and I have had to learn a lot myself through the Internet and through an excellent health advisor at my local HIV clinic.

I have now changed my diet (eat much more healthy foods these days), stopped smoking (absolute hell but recommended), starting swimming three times a week and have every intention of staying at work forever.

It is hard but remember, if you are positive it doesn't mean you will die - its a warning about your health and if you make changes to your lifestyle and keep going for your check ups at the clinic then hopefully you will live a long and fruitful life!

If you have been diagnosed HIV positive, here is my advice:

• Don't tell anyone straight away, you need time to think it through and it is a very personal decision. 
• Seek help. If your HIV/GUM clinic have a counsellor or even a good health care advisor - talk to them. 
• Use the Internet to find out as much information as you can - knowledge is definitely power!!
• Change your lifestyle - exercise, take multivitamins and antioxidants once or twice a day, eat healthier - it's your health in the long run. 
• And remember, most people are now living a long time with the advent of the drugs. If you do have to start them then a healthy lifestyle becomes more important than ever.