Adam is 20 and has been HIV positive for over a year. Here, he tells his story.

Diagnosis

In May 2004 I got really sick. I had swollen glands, a really nasty headache and my body was aching all over. It never even crossed my mind I was “converting”. Sero-conversion is when your body first starts to produce anti-bodies to try and kill the HIV virus. A couple of days later I came out in a rash, and then my symptoms subsided. I was having unsafe sex, so catching something was always in the back of mind. I was taking a massive risk, and making the wrong choices with my health.

In December 2004 I decided enough was enough. I stopped having unsafe sex, and took a break from the gay scene and sex. A month later I visited my local sexual health clinic and tested positive for HIV. When I went back to the clinic to get my results 10 days later, the counsellor confirmed that I had ‘converted’ in May and that I had been HIV positive for almost a year.

I still haven’t broken down and cried about the news. It’s not affecting me yet. It worries me, but my nurse and doctor have given me lots of information about HIV and Aids and I’m educating myself about it, so it isn’t so scary. My challenge is telling my family about my HIV status. Maybe I’ll be able to when I’m 30 and they don’t see my as the baby of the family anymore.

Lifestyle

I have no doubt I contracted HIV by having unsafe sex with other men. I had multiple partners and was often taking drugs before or after sex. Drugs lower your inhibitions and you just don’t care what’s happening - but somehow it felt good.

Support

I have my own diary, which allows me to put down my feelings about what’s going on in my life. I also keep track of my CD4 count and Viral Load. Those two figures give me an indication of how my immune system is coping. An average person’s CD4 count is between 500 and 1000. Mine is at 580, which is high.

My friends are an amazing support, too. One of my best friends who is positive was there for me as soon as I got my test results. Another friend wants to organise a dinner party where everyone is HIV positive and at the end we would just be told: “you all have something in common, now talk about it!” I think that’s a great idea.

The risks for young people

Young people need to know that having unsafe sex puts them at risk of catching STIs, such as HIV. Having sex isn’t just about reproducing, which is what they teach at school. It’s about getting off, having fun and showing your love for somebody. I think schools should be as frank as possible when it comes to sex education, moving from heterosexual sex, to gay sex, to lesbian sex. It all needs to be covered. After all, the dangers are the same across the board. They need to know what HIV does, the side affects of the drugs, and the long-term health implications. The importance of wearing a condom and not drinking and taking drugs to excess also needs to be emphasised.

Health and personal perspective

I go to the gym three to four times a week to maintain good health and fitness. I couldn’t feel any better. I have a great job and I have great friends. So, I’m HIV positive and my status will never change, but I’m in a better position knowing this. I’m excited about life and the future and I have a website warning teens about the dangers out there. So why would I give up on myself? Health professionals are monitoring my health and when the time comes, I’ll get the right treatment. I advise anyone who is worried about the possibility of being positive to get tested.

Got a problem or in need of some advice? Email Adam: adam@positiveadam.co.uk