Hi
I was just wondering when you have had HIV for a couple of years, how does it all start? As far as healthwise. I just wondered if you get sick a lot or if you start having lots of pains or what? Someone who knows, can you please elaborate on this?
Thanks,:confused:

Having HIV doesn't necessarily mean you get sick a lot. There are many other factors involved. HIV simply mean that your immune system "may not" be as strong as it used to be, making you more susceptible to infection or sickness. But like I said, there are many factors to concider, such as your lifestyle, your eating habits, whether you excercise regularly. In fact there are people who do not have HIV that mey get sick more often than someone who does, simply because they do not practice a healthy lifestyle. I just recently discovered my HIV status, and it wasn't because I was sick all the time. In fact, I feel very healthy, and don't remember even the last time I had a cold. I don't know how long I've had it, but I can say it has been at least a year. Hope this helps answer your question.

I am worried that I may have it. The only thing out of the ordinary for me is I have been having a lot of pains inside my body. I cannot figure out why else I would be having all these pains in seperate places at the same time. It could be that a bunch of things are messing up at the same time, but it is not likely, especially for me. I have always been very healthy most of my life. I am really too scared to get a test. It is by far the scariest thing I have ever had to do. I am sure it was hard for you. Are you doing ok with it?

It could be a milion other things, to jump to a conclusion like that is irrational. Think to yourself if you have put yourself at risk for HIV, if so get tested and put that fear out of your head. The Fear of AIDS, or FRAIDS as people put it can bring a lot of "so called" symptoms.

Good luck, im sure your be fine

Wendy,

I am doing ok with it. Like I said, it is still pretty new to me. And to let you know, I did not get "tested" intentionally. It was part of a routine procedure when I went to the blood bank. I was donating blood to myself for an upcoming surgical procedure, and that's when the virus was discovered.

Thanks for your responses. It really makes me feel better to hear anything from someone else. I have really been worrying myself quite regularly lately. I really need to get the courage to get tested. So having HIV, has it changed your life and are you on a lot of medicines? Are the costs of the medicine expensive and are you having side effects? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be prepared if the test is positive. Thank you so much!

So far, it has not affected my life too much. I am not on any medications right now. From what I have read, it is not uncommon to go for years without any medication at all. The doctor just monitors your cell count and viral load. As long as you are doing ok, you can go indefinitely without meds.

Hi Jeff,

After giving blood can I ask how long it was before you were told your status?

I was initially contacted about 4 days after saying they found an "abnormality" and thet they were going to do some more testing. The second round of testing took almost 2 weeks.

Thank you Jeff,

I was concerned about a man I had a very short incident with (30 seconds infact) but with no protection, no reason to think he has HIV, he gives blood 3 times a year. He last gave blood 3 weeks ago and hasn't been contacted so im assuming all is fine. I had a 6 week blood test, it was negative but im still concerned, thought the dr did it too early as ive heard its 13 weeks but my DR assured me 6 weeks was fine.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.

Sounds like things are going to be fine for you. I wouldn't stress to much if I were you.

Thank you Jeff, I hope so.