Hey everyone,

I was diagnosed a little over a year ago, in August 2025. My viral load was over 10 million, too high to measure, and I was very sick. At the same time, I was apparently lucky: since I only tested positive for antigens and not antibodies, they caught it fairly early.

It's been difficult, but the main reason I'm posting is to share one of the positive ways it has affected my life.

I used to avoid almost any kind of intervention, whether that was medication (even Tylenol) or any resources that could help me, because I had a long-standing belief that I should go through life "naturally." Once I got diagnosed, I started doing things to improve my quality of life that I probably never would have considered before.

As shallow or insignificant as some of these may seem to some of you, to me they've been real quality-of-life upgrades:

• I started using medication to reverse some hair loss I was having.

• I started taking Cialis to help in the bedroom, which has honestly been one of the best decisions I've ever made. It might sound superficial to some people, and that's fine.

• I had surgery for the heartburn I'd had for almost my entire adult life. I got a hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication this past summer, and I haven't had heartburn since. Again, one of the best decisions I've ever made.

• I went vegan. I gradually became vegetarian over the past year and went fully vegan this summer.

• I've gotten a lot more on top of my health in general: getting tested regularly, keeping up with my bloodwork, and paying attention to my diet.

• I started taking vitamins and supplements to help with my overall health and mood.

• I also have tried to be more active and do some cardio every day which has also really helped my mood.

I'm over 40, and I hadn't done any of these things before. I honestly don't think I would have done any of them without the diagnosis.

I've also started living less apologetically and doing the things I want without waiting.

On meds: I'm on Cabenuva, and the injections made me really sick at first. My side effects were mostly bloating, nausea, stomach cramping, and pretty significant depression. It took a long time, but over the past year it's gradually gotten better, little by little. After my last injection I felt pretty much fine, thankfully. It took me way longer to adjust than I would have hoped but I am glad I stuck it out.

For anyone on Cabenuva, here's what's helped me with the injections (not medical advice, just my experience):

• Find a nurse who will inject it as slowly as possible.

• Ice the injection spots for 20–30 minutes before the appointment.

• I take 600 mg of ibuprofen and 1,000 mg of Tylenol an hour or two beforehand.

• Lie on your stomach during the shot to keep the muscles relaxed.

I don't want to sound overly dramatic. I know HIV is very treatable now, and some doctors say they'd rather have it than diabetes. But to anyone newly diagnosed: some of the things that stung at first, and still sting, are also what pushed me out of my comfort zone, and for me it's turned into a net positive.

Would I rather not have it? Of course. But honestly, I'm not sure my life would be better than it is now.

I'm still working through relationships and stigma. But hopefully this gives some of you a little boost.

I also remind myself that people die in car accidents and get stage 4 cancer every single day. That helps me remain thankful I’m alive with a treatable condition.

Thanks for listening.

 I am a 28 year old gay man from India. I just visited the testing centre yesterday where confirmatory testing is done for HIV. As I had no symptoms whatsoever and I always practiced safe sex, I was pretty confident it would come back negative. But when the doctor showed me the results, it was like my life turned upside down and I went completely numb.
Although they reassured me that there's nothing to worry about, you will just need to take one pill a day and you'll live a perfectly normal life, still it is not easy to shake off the feeling of guilt, regret and mainly how I could be so stupid and careless.
I am really disturbed and not able to focus on anything else. Even though it is just one pill, I will need to take it everyday without fail for the rest of my life. It will serve as a daily reminder that I brought this upon myself.

1.      HHS Updates Guidelines for Antiretroviral Treatment of HIV https://www.contagionlive.com/view/hhs-updates-guidelines-for-antiretroviral-treatment-of-hiv

2.      The Future of CDC HIV Prevention Funding for Community Organizations https://www.kff.org/other-health/the-future-of-cdc-hiv-prevention-funding-for-community-organizations/

3.      Infectious disease specialists protest HIV funding cuts https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/hivaids/infectious-disease-specialists-protest-hiv-funding-cuts

4.      Nashville judge temporarily blocks immigration status checks in HIV/AIDS program https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/10/22/nashville-judge-temporarily-blocks-immigration-status-checks-in-hiv-aids-program/

5.      What the BRIDGE Survey Data Reveal about HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment in Latine Communities https://www.hrc.org/resources/hiv-prevention-care-and-treatment-in-latine-communities

6.      The HIV care continuum and determinants of antiretroviral therapy initiation among transgender women in France 1997–2023 a longitudinal cohort study https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(26)00232-2/fulltext00232-2/fulltext)

7.      PrEP Aware Week + a Global PrEP Toolkit = the Power of HIV Prevention https://www.poz.com/article/prep-aware-week-global-prep-toolkit-power-hiv-prevention

8.      A Gay Dating App Just Bought a PrEP Telehealth Provider. What Does That Mean for Privacy and PrEP Access? https://www.thebody.com/hiv/grindr-freddie-acquisition-prep-access-privacy

9.      San Francisco Expands Doxy-PEP to Women and Others as Officials Report 24% Drop in Syphilis Cases https://www.medicaldaily.com/san-francisco-doxy-pep-expansion-syphilis-chlamydia-decline-479892

10.  Misbeliefs About Harm of Mixing PrEP and Alcohol Reduce Uptake of PrEP, Require Nuanced Conversations https://www.thebodypro.com/hiv/prep-alcohol-interaction-misconceptions-2026

11.  UNC School of Medicine Researchers Identify New Pathway That Helps HIV Hide in the Body Despite Treatment https://news.unchealthcare.org/2026/10/unc-school-of-medicine-researchers-identify-new-pathway-that-helps-hiv-hide-in-the-body-despite-treatment/

12.  HIV finds escape routes from preventive antibody – but newer antibodies may close them https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2026/2026-10/hiv-finds-escape-routes-from-preventive-antibody--but-newer-antibodies-may-close-them.html

13.  Study details surprising human immune cell link to HIV https://ag.purdue.edu/news/2026/10/study-details-surprising-human-immune-cell-link-to-hiv.html

14.  Study Findings Make a Case for an Unusual Long-Acting ART Pairing: Cabotegravir Plus Lenacapavir https://www.thebodypro.com/hiv/long-acting-cabotegravir-lenacapavir-art-switch-oct-2026

15.  Switching HIV Drugs or Adding Zoledronic Acid Rebuilds Bone Lost to Tenofovir https://bioengineer.org/switching-hiv-drugs-or-adding-zoledronic-acid-rebuilds-bone-lost-to-tenofovir/#google_vignette

16.  From “good news” to “failure”: how French participants experienced an HIV remission trial https://aidsmap.com/news/from-good-news-to-failure-how-french-participants-experienced-an-hiv-remission-trial/?_gl=1*d1wyec*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTUxMzI0MDUyNi4xNzkyNjg0NDU5*_ga_BJ88L9KN57*czE3OTI2ODQ0NTckbzEkZzEkdDE3OTI2ODQ0NjUkajUyJGwwJGgw

17.  The U.S. HIV Population is Getting Older https://www.poz.com/article/us-hiv-population-getting-older

18.  HIV Linked to Early Signs of Heart Dysfunction https://www.emjreviews.com/en-us/amj/cardiology/news/hiv-linked-to-early-signs-of-heart-dysfunction/

19.  HIV’s genetic remnants are not as silent as they seem https://www.dzif.de/en/hivs-genetic-remnants-are-not-silent-they-seem

20.  IDSA Honors Leaders in Infectious Diseases at IDWeek 2026 https://www.poz.com/article/idsa-honors-leaders-infectious-diseases-idweek-2026

21.  Using AI in the Global Fight Against HIV https://seas.harvard.edu/news/using-ai-global-fight-against-hiv

22.  Thousands take to the streets of WeHo to make an impact at AIDS Walk Los Angeles https://abc7.com/story/aids-walk-los-angeles-brings-community-together-support-people-living-hiv/19951923/

Hello,

Not sure if anyone here is in portland oregon I just moved here from the coast and having issues navigating case management and care. Anyone around to chat, pick your brain? Thanks

Looking for a positive patner.

21M Bisexual am a student. Got positive in 2024 everything is going well but there is only 1 thing missing is a patner. I am looking for someone with whom i can share my feeling have some physical intimacy without thinking twice.

As mentioned above i am a bisexual if i get a male patner will be much better i don't have much problem with the age the other person can be of any age.

Currently living in bangalore.India🇮🇳

Hi everyone! I’m looking to have my first rhinoplasty in Türkiye and would love to hear from anyone living with HIV who has had the procedure there.
I’m on treatment and undetectable, but I’m struggling to find a surgeon and hospital willing to accept me.
If you’ve been through this, could you please share the surgeon’s name and your experience?
I’d really appreciate any recommendations. Thank you! ❤️

I was recently exposed and diagnosed, and right within seroconversion my VL was in the 8000s and a few weeks later it dropped to the 3000s. However, approximately two weeks ago I took Dovato for just one week, which I had to stop it due to side effects, therefore, I have been off treatment for two weeks after just one week of ART and today my VL came back as 147.

I’m a bit surprised, because both my doctor and I expected it to rebound to the 1000s by now, he kept mentioned that my inmune system might be unusually highly effective at suppressing HIV, and I’m starting to believe it lol

I’m starting a new NRTI-sparing treatment this weekend, and this low VL result is making me feel a tab more hopeful!

Really interesting update on promising cure strategies

https://youtu.be/TjYaNSK4dPc?si=1bDWV-nhT9swp46E

I am 30F from Kenya i want to date av had HIV since i was 12 so by now its like part of my life am on medz i have reached U=U and i am very curious how easy is it for me to find a partner ? Have you been able to date after diagnosis?

My partner was diagnosed last year and unfortunately I chose a shifty silver plan prior. Out of pocket I think meds would've been like $1500 for a 3 month supply. Luckily he is on ADAP program which covers the cost. For reference our current Kaiser plan has a deductible was 2,900 individual with maximum oop of 9100.

Im a high earner so we will have about a year left of ADAP before we cross the income threshold and want to start being aware of what things to look for when choosing a health plan once we get off ADAP and have a cost for meds with insurance that can be covered by Gilead Co pay card.

Some choices Im between are Kaiser Full Gold HMO with 250 deductible with 7800 out of pocket max, Anthem blue cross platinum vivity HMO with $0 deductible and 3350 out of pocket.

I feel at a loss understanding Healthcare and want to be able to choose the right plan to ensure my partner is covered adequately. Any advice on how to analyze plans or resources is greatly appreciated.

I’m 29 and was diagnosed with HIV two weeks ago. My career is currently taking off, and I’m really scared this diagnosis might somehow hold me back professionally.

I know modern treatment allows us to live normal lives, but I can’t help worrying about my future.
For those who have been living with HIV for a while, did your diagnosis affect your career, ambitions, or professional opportunities? Or have you been able to keep progressing as before?

I’d really appreciate hearing your personal experiences.

https://www.shamelesspath.com/guides/hiv-cure-2026-trials-update-whats-actually-promising

Very sparse on details but works as a snapshot of the state of treatment options and cure research. Few drugs named, no studies highlighted, no links to sources.

I want to know if I can work like nurse with hiv. I live in Romania

Heyy everyone!

Has anyone here visited Sassoon General Hospital in Pune for HIV treatment?

I wanted to know about your experience with their HIV treatment services, particularly the availability of free or subsidised antiretroviral (ART) medicines.

Are the medicines provided free of cost, and how is the overall treatment and patient care?

I'd appreciate any feedback or personal experiences.

Thank you!

Hoy en Madrid tuvo lugar una marcha que se lleva celebrando ya 5 años. Es el día del pride VIH positivo.

I’m spiraling even when I was diagnosed my lymphocytes where normal at like 22 percent now a year later they are down to 15 why is this happening I take medication everyday

Im hiv positive since December 2025

Today I met with a friend that works in a non profit organisation that do std rapid tests where I got my positive result there last year, I asked him to do the same tests again: hiv, sífilis and hepatitis A, B and C

For my surprise im negative to all of them, including hiv and I was so happy. I was thinking that even if I’m undetectable it was gonna show up two lines like the day I did it for the first time and got the confirmation result but it didn’t.

So when we are undetectable it doesn’t show up in those rapid tests? That’s a really good thing (at least I think so)

 1.      How a New Long-Acting HIV Drug Combo Tackles Resistancehttps://www.news- https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2026/10/432761/how-new-long-acting-hiv-drug-combo-tackles-resistance

2.      Older Age Linked to Better Quality of Life in Adults With HIV After ART Switch https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/news/older-age-better-qol-hiv-art-switch/

3.      Former Division of HIV Health employee alleges hostile work environment https://epgn.com/2026/10/14/former-division-of-hiv-health-employee-alleges-hostile-work-environment/

4.      New Study Pilots Intervention to Prevent HIV Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/new-study-pilots-intervention-to-prevent-hiv-among-pregnant-and-postpartum-women/

5.      More Than Half of Adults Are Not Immune to Hepatitis A and B https://www.poz.com/article/half-adults-immune-hepatitis-b

6.      What to Know About Hepatitis B When Switching to Tenofovir-Sparing Antiretroviral Regimens https://www.thebodypro.com/hiv/antiretroviral-switch-strategy-hepatitis-b-tenofovir-sparing

7.      Why Are Women the Absent Voice in HIV Prevention? https://www.aidshealth.org/2026/10/why-are-women-the-absent-voice-in-hiv-prevention/

8.      Long-Acting HIV Shot Works Just Fine for Patients With Adherence Issues https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/hivaids/123413

9.      PrEP Deserts: Why HIV Prevention Still Misses Those at Risk https://www.drugtopics.com/view/prep-deserts-why-hiv-prevention-still-misses-those-at-risk

1. Is It Worthwhile to Switch Your HIV Treatment Regimen Even If Your Current One Works Well? https://www.thebody.com/hiv/switching-hiv-antiretroviral-treatment-pros-cons

1. Researchers improve CRISPR technology for detecting HIV and other RNA viruses https://www.news-medical.net/news/20261013/Researchers-improve-CRISPR-technology-for-detecting-HIV-and-other-RNA-viruses.aspx

1. Mapping the interaction of HIV with antiretroviral drugs in lymph nodes https://www.irsicaixa.es/en/mapping-interaction-hiv-antiretroviral-drugs-lymph-nodes

1. $5.8 million study explores gut-brain inflammation in people with HIV https://www.news-medical.net/news/20261013/2458-million-study-explores-gut-brain-inflammation-in-people-with-HIV.aspx

1. Federal funding pullback chills HIV trials at UCSD https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/10/12/federal-funding-pullback-chills-hiv-trials-at-ucsd/

1. Manatee biotech company gets $9.6M grant for HIV prevention https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2026/oct/14/manatee-biotech-company-grant/

1. Ukraine Keeps HIV Response Steady Under Fire https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/ukraine-keeps-hiv-response-steady-under-fire

1. National Latino AIDS Awareness Day 2026 https://www.poz.com/article/national-latino-aids-awareness-day-2026

1. 3 steps to HIV PrEP: A simple guide https://www.aafp.org/sponsored-resources/gilead-3-steps-to-hiv-prep-a-simple-guide

1. Kristaps Porziņģis says he does not have HIV or AIDS amid indefinite Warriors absence https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7690853/2026/10/14/kristaps-porzingis-warriors-health-update-out-indefinitely/

1. MISTR Brings Slew of Celebrities to Celebrate National PrEP Day in West Hollywoodhttps://wehotimes.com/mistr-brings-slew-of-celebrities-to-celebrate-national-prep-day-in-west-hollywood/

I’m looking for advice and personal experiences from people who have switched from dolutegravir (DTG) to another HIV medication and have maintained good viral suppression and overall health.

I started my treatment with TLD (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [TDF] + lamivudine [3TC] + dolutegravir [DTG]). After about a year, I switched to a TAF-based regimen (tenofovir alafenamide [TAF]) because I was concerned about the potential long-term effects of TDF on kidney and bone health.

However, I’ve since experienced weight gain and an increase in my HbA1c levels. I’m unsure whether these changes are related to TAF, DTG, or a combination of factors.

My doctor has indicated that switching to a two-drug regimen may be an option. I’m therefore considering dolutegravir + lamivudine (DTG/3TC, sold as Dovato), provided I’m eligible. However, I’m also interested in alternatives that would allow me to move away from DTG, given its association with weight gain in some people.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has:

- Switched from TLD to a TAF-based regimen and subsequently experienced weight gain or increased HbA1c.

- Switched from DTG to DTG/3TC (Dovato) and noticed any improvements in weight, blood sugar, lipids, or other metabolic markers.

- Switched from DTG to a completely different regimen and maintained good viral suppression.

- Discussed similar concerns with their HIV specialist and found a regimen that worked well long term.

My main priorities are maintaining an undetectable viral load while protecting my kidney and bone health and managing my weight, HbA1c, and cholesterol.

If you’ve made a similar switch, what regimen did you move to, how has your experience been, and did you notice any meaningful changes in your lab results?

I understand that treatment decisions depend on individual medical history, resistance testing, and other factors. I’m not looking to change medication without my doctor’s guidance; I’d simply like to learn from other people’s real-world experiences.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

Hey guys, so I’ve been dating this guy for about a month now, and he told me he’s HIV positive but undetectable (U=U).
We’ve only done stuff like kissing, hugging, handjobs, and I’ve sucked his nipples and fingered him. We haven’t had sex yet.
I’m the top and he’s the bottom. I wanna try more things with him, but honestly, I’m a bit scared about the HIV part. He says he’s undetectable, but I don’t know if I can trust that blindly since we’ve only been dating for a month. I also don’t wanna take PrEP right now.
I’m not judging him or anything, I just wanna be careful and understand the risks before doing anything.
So I wanted to ask:
1. Is it safe to get a blowjob from him without a condom?
2. Is rimming him safe?
3. Can I top him with a condom? Is that safe?
I’d appreciate some honest advice, especially from people who’ve been in this situation. I like this guy, but I also wanna make sure I’m not putting my health at risk.

Our helper has been with us for a few months and is basically part of the family. She recently trusted us enough to tell us she's HIV positive, and I want to make sure we respond in the right way.

Would really appreciate advice, especially from employers who've been in this situation or anyone living with HIV:

At home: She lives with us and we have kids I know HIV isn't spread through everyday contact, but is there anything we should know, like how to handle this situation

Comment avez-vous fait pour surmonter les temps difficiles après un diagnostic positif ? Par le travail ? Par votre entourage ? Besoin de conseils.

Et certains d’entre vous n’ont pas ressenti de tristesse, peur ou anxiété dans les premiers jours ?

Merci :)