Hi everyone.

I was diagnosed last year, 2010, December.

It came as a total shock if I am honest, but I dealt with it well.

I remember going for my test, I was feeling unwell for a month or so, had a bad water infection, and tired. I went to my Dr, who didn't even suggest I went for a test, plus I had various blood tests before.

I went for my test, all okie dokie, and waited a week for my result.

I went back to the clinic, right as rain, sunny day outside, day off, great day for shopping. I was called in by the nurse, Jean. She simply said "well Alex, it has come back positive".

I just said 'oh, ok' . . . didn't know what else to say. she told me I had to have more tests, it was that that made me feel sick the most, I was sick of talking to her and wanted to get out. I started getting all clamed up.

After my blood tests, I was told I had to go back a few days later. I got on the bus back into town, and everything seemed silent. I had no emotions that day.

My sister called me at 1.06pm, I was sat outside Yorkshire bank in Doncaster, she said "how did it go?' And I said 'I got hiv'.

She told me she would meet me at 6pm before I went home to tell my mum.

I went shopping, had a beer or two, and met a friend called Carl, who was brilliant and we had a laugh, what a star he was.

I went home and told my mum, no tears, no questions. W e simply got on with it.

I think it is because I had an idea that I might have it, no because I had lots of unprotected sex, because I had not. So it is a mystery who passed it on to me, though I can narrow it down to a few people, though it has not been discussed so far.

Having HIV to me has made no difference to my life, i am very honest about it, and told various people, some of who are not confidential about it, and so, I have become more aware of trust and so on.

Sometimes, I do feel a bit sad about it, taking meds and so on.

Other then that, all is good, I would like to change careers and work in Sexual Health and so on from now on.

x