My name is Rohit and I’m 28 years old. I’m gay and I was diagnosed with HIV in 2016.
Throughout my life I constantly learned about HIV and when I was diagnosed, I was very scared and realised that I wasn’t really aware of what was happening to me. I was devastated and couldn’t really see myself taking treatment for the rest of my life or at least until they invent cure for it.
As someone who has always taken good care of my body, I started studying HIV. I read articles, scientific studies and a lot of books on the subject and realised this was it that there was no going back.
I would like to advise anyone who is unsure to go and get tested for HIV, and to always use protection, even if you’re doing it with someone you know. Get tested regularly, that way you’ll know your HIV status.
I want to raise awareness and educate others about HIV. It doesn’t have to be as crippling as it once was. I exercise, I work and I take part in anything I find interesting, I live a normal life.
Even if you test positive, don’t allow yourself to be defeated. I know you’ll hear this a lot but I can confidently say that it’s not the end. Take your treatment and listen to your doctor’s advice. They are there to help you to go through the process. It doesn’t matter that no one knows about my situation. What is important is that I know myself.