The most important thing to remember when you are diagnosed with HIV is that with advancements in treatment, you can live a long and healthy life with HIV.
Furthermore, in 2017 from research presented at the International AIDS Society Congress we learnt that those who are on effective antiretroviral therapy cannot pass on the virus. Antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces the viral load [<50 copies per ml of blood] and body fluids such as blood, anal mucus, semen, vaginal fluid and breastmilk – the five body fluids that pass it on – are no longer infectious.
HIV Treatment
Starting on treatment after your diagnosis is very important, for both you and those around you. The Sri Lankan government provides free HIV treatment, available at Ministry of Health clinics across the country.
If you haven’t already, consider booking an appointment for a confirmatory test through https://www.know4sure.lk This is an excellent government service that gurantees confidentiality right through the process and beyond.
For example, through government testing you will become aware of your viral load, which is an indicator of overall health, and which can also help you decide (with your doctor) when it is best to have children. With ready access to treatment, a person living with HIV in Sri Lanka has the ability to have an HIV-free child.
You can also learn about living with HIV by joining a support group made up of people living with HIV in Sri Lanka, such as the Positive Hopes Alliance. They will help you stay in work, support you and your family with knowledge, and be available to help you come to terms with life ahead.
Disclosing your HIV status
You should not disclose your HIV status to anyone you do not want to. Your doctor and health care providers are committed to refraining from disclosing your HIV status. No one else has the right to disclose your HIV status but you. Think carefully about to whom you tell of your HIV status.
Your doctors and healthcare providers need to know your HIV status in order to provide you with the right treatment and care.
Talking openly about your HIV status will help you feel less burdened by keeping it a secret. If you think your family, partner, or friends will support you, it is important to gradually disclose your HIV status to them. Keep in mind due to lack of knowledge about HIV and the myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV, disclosing your HIV status may still be a challenge.
The 2017 Sri Lanka HIV Stigma Index indicated that 9.3% have not disclosed their HIV status to a spouse or long-term partner. They are more likely to disclose their HIV status to another person living with HIV (80%).