Receiving an HIV diagnosis can be difficult, and may produce a strong emotional reaction. Denial, anger, anxiety, fear, hopelessness and depression are often reported post-diagnosis. For people with a history of trauma or mental health disorders, a resurgence of symptoms may occur. At this point, caring for your mental health needs can have a significant impact on your medical treatment since untreated psychological symptoms can interfere with your ability to follow medical advice and to follow through with the life style changes needed to maintain your health.

It is also important to learn accurate information. Most of the thoughts people have about HIV pre-diagnosis tend to be fear based and centered around prevention. It is possible for a newly diagnosed person to not be aware of other people living with this condition and to have an outdated idea of what life would be like with HIV. The combination of misinformation, fear, and lack of familiarity with people living with HIV in today’s society  often creates a picture of the condition that is neither accurate nor likely. For instance, many people still think of HIV as a terminal illness when, in reality, people can live for decades post diagnosis. As a matter of fact, life expectancy for those who follow their Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) regimen is similar to the life expectancy of people who are HIV-negative.

Psychotherapy groups formed by people living with HIV are a very effective strategy to connect with others, gain information, learn about community resources, and to feel supported. There are several organizations in Austin that specialize in helping people navigate the medical system, finding resources, and providing support (Click here to learn more about their services). It is very important to get connected and to become part of a support system. You may find that receiving support can be as beneficial as giving support.

By the time you read this post, you probably have an Immunologist who prescribes your ART regimen and monitors the functioning of your immune system. As part of their medical care they will ask you to have laboratories done, and they will inform you about two important markers that you need to know and understand. Those are your CD4 count and your Vital Load.

• CD4s are a type of white blood cells that help your body fight off infections. A normal CD4 count ranges from 500-1,200 cells/mm3. You want this number to be higher because that would mean that you have more T-cells scanning your body for infections and cell anomalies. ART (taking your medication) will help you do just that.
• Viral Load refers to the amount of HIV found in your blood, and it informs you and your doctor about how you are responding to you ART regimen. The goal is for your viral load to be undetectable. 

Thanks to the advances of medicine in the past three decades, it is now possible to have a high CD4 and an undetectable viral load post diagnosis.