HIV AIDS Treatment Works: Jennifer Story - Tips for Good Health
CDC’s HIV AIDS Treatment Works: Jennifer’s Story:
Suppose I had to say something directly to HIV AIDS. I would have to say that, “You do not define me.” That’s what I would say. I would tell a person who is HIV positive. Either newly HIV positive or a person. Who might have been in care before and just all the extraordinary advances that have been made? When it comes to HIV/AIDS, especially HIV, and that actually, people. It’s no longer a death sentence that it used to be.
When I was first HIV-positive, I was full-blown AIDS. The time was very different. The medicines weren’t as good as they have now. I weighed 70 pounds when I first saw myself in the mirror, I cried. Again, it was different back then, but it was very devastating for me. I first got into medical care because they didn’t know what was wrong with me. HIV was hiding with another symptom and condition, so I ended up in an emergency room situation. Finally, after that, a doctor from the University of Miami came in. And did the work and diagnosed me with what it was.
HIV AIDS Medicines:
And since taking my HIV medicines. I’ve maintained excellent numbers, both with my CD4 and my undetectable viral load. And since then, I’ve stayed in care and remained in care. But if I was talking to a person who was just recently diagnosed and they’re probably petrified as I would want to explain, break it down in simpler terms as to what the viral load is, as far as the Quantity of HIV per unit in your blood.
I’d also want to be a little bit more compassionate and explain to them that it’s going to be ok. It’s not the end. It’s just a new way of doing life. It’s not a death sentence, and that they’re going to be ok. Well, as a transgender woman, it’s important to me because when I was first diagnosed, accessing care was very difficult for me.
A lot of the work that I do is helping or setting up conferences, free HIV screenings. STD screenings, and things like that, across the country. As a person with HIV, living well means just on every level, you know. My mental health, physical health, eating right, exercising, living life knowing that I’m going to live, and just making the most of it.
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