We recently received this guest post from the editor of http://hivster.com/ Brad Crelia and thought it would be an excellent post any day, but an even better on on #WorldAIDSDay – have a read and let us know your thoughts…

I found out I was positive March of 2010. I got a call on my cell in between classes from my doctors office, “I needed to come to their office as soon as possible, to speak with Dr. Smith.” Instead of waiting the day out, I called my friend Mario and asked if he’d take me up there. We headed that way within thirty minutes of the call. Neither of us really let on what we already knew. I had blood drawn for a HIV test the week before.

When we got to my doctors office, I was let into a room pretty quickly which is unusual. Sitting there I already had the answer I was about to get, I was HIV positive. The doctor confirmation felt like someone knocked the wind out of me, “Brad, all the results came back, you don’t have any STD’s. But I do have to tell you that your HIV positive.” Shock set in and the room got heavy and as my doctor and his aide described this virus, a virus I will have for the rest of my life, I didn’t hear a word. I watched his mouth move. I nodded. I couldn’t listen to his words. All I could think about was the stigma. The people I would have to tell and the possibility that I could HAVE infected people that I love. My heart was inundated with thoughts of death and dying.

Since my diagnosis, I’ve spoken to many other positive people who have had similar situations. Usually, like me, you get the information you need in the follow up meeting with your doctor and they look at your blood work and figure out the best course of treatment. But in all honesty, I still didn’t get it. I’m not a doctor and I think sometimes medical professionals forget that. This new disease needs to be described in layman’s terms, so those of us who didn’t go to medical school can understand what’s happening to our bodies.

So, that’s what I’ll do here, describe HIV, AIDS and some of the other need-to-know basics in a way that I would understand and hopefully you will too:

HIV is a disease that fights your bodies immune system, specifically blood cells, know as T-Cells. The loss of T-Cells can eventually lead to AIDS.

AIDS can occur after someone has been infected with the HIV virus. HIV can destroy enough of your T-Cells to open your body up to other diseases it would usually be able to ward off. Medical professionals call these ‘opportunistic’ diseases or tumors.

Scary stuff. Ten years ago, due to lack of information, medication and proper treatment, HIV could lead to AIDS within years. Many people died in the 80’s and 90’s but now with numerous, successful medications (antiviral medications) a lot of people live long, healthy lives with HIV.

AIDS isn’t and shouldn’t be a worry as long as you stay on the medications your doctor prescribes, keep in touch with your doctor for regular blood checks and follow safe sex and  preventive measures. I started my medication cocktail (a mixture of different antivirals) and within six months my viral load (the amount of the virus in your body) and T-Cell count (your immune system) have me at an undetectable level, which basically means I am not contagious and will stay that way as long as I follow my doc’s orders, stay safe and on my meds.

What do you think of Brad’s post?

Brad talks about the advancement in treatment and his ability to lead a long and healthy life – do you think these kind of messages are put out there enough when we talk about HIV? Let us know your thoughts…