Many people are hurt, angry and fearful when they find out that they are HIV positive.We know that being HIV positive is no longer seen as a death sentence. We know that there are medicines which we can use to control the condition.

Still, we have to deal with many feelings in the beginning:

Shock

You may not want to believe what you hear. Your brain is spinning, and you think that they made a mistake. They’ll sort it out as soon as they do another test, and find out that doctors mixed up your test results with someone else’s.

Anger

You may be angry with your partner and blame him or her for infecting you. This is especially true if your partner cheated on you and you did not know it.

You may also be angry with yourself for having unprotected sex, for trusting your partner when he/she said he/she loved you,  for failing to end the relationship, or failing to use condoms when you found he/she was cheating on you. Remember that anger also hurts you.

Fear

You may be afraid of how your family, friends and community will react. You may also be afraid of being sick and dying.

Remember that are medicines that can help you to control the progress of the disease, so you live a long and healthy life.

Eating well will also help you to stay healthy. Also, make sure that you talk to people who can help and support you.

Get counselling from your local healthcare provider, and join a support group of HIV positive people and their families for additional help.

Guilt

You may blame yourself for having unprotected sex. This is also true if you suspect that you are the one who infected your current partner.

Learn to forgive yourself, and forgive the person who infected you. Guilt, like anger, will eat you up, and bring you no benefits. Remember: Hope gives you strength to cope with your feelings.

Tips for healthy eating

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day; these foods help your body to fight sickness.
• Eat lots of beans, lentils, soya mince and tinned fish; they are cheaper if you cannot afford to buy meats or chicken, all these foods build the body and help keep you strong.
• Add some butter, oil, milk, peanut butter or nuts to your food; this will give you energy and help you stay the same weight.
• Have milk and yoghurt every day; this will help you digest your food.
• Eat lots of brown rice, brown bread, pap and samp; these foods give you energy.
• Drink 6 to 8 grasses of water every day.

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