What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that can weaken your immune system, your body’s built-in defence against disease. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.
Without HIV treatment, you can eventually become sick with serious illnesses. Maybe you found out that you have HIV because you were sick with such an illness. But with proper treatment and care, most people with HIV can stay healthy and live a long, full life.
“I’m OK! Being diagnosed was probably the worst part of the entire experience. From there, every day got a little bit better, and as my health improved, I felt better about the situation. Finding out that I tested positive was devastating but I read a lot about HIV and made a conscious effort to get as healthy as possible as fast as possible...Besides having to remember to take one pill a day, my life is virtually unaffected by the disease.”
—Jon