Just found out my friend has HIV

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

gutharius

Golden Member
May 26, 2004
1,965
0
0
Originally posted by: toekramp
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
A casual friend of mine got aids back in 1991. :(

rose.gif


are they still around?

It depends if it is HIV or full blown aids. HIV is manageable. AIDS can lead to death. Of the people that I know who have aids they treat it just as if someone who has Diabetes does. They take meds for the rest of their lives and die of natural causes.

It also depends on how much of a viral load he has. Obviously the smaller the load the better the chance of leading a normal life if he takes medicines to prevent the virus from doing anything. Which the pharmacy companies have all done nicely, if only there were money in a cure...

But seriously, the key thing to think about here is if he has HIV or AIDS. They are 2 seperate and distinct things, even tho one leads to the other.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
So how did he get it ? Or did he not say.. or are you unwilling to say. HIV infection from blood transfusions is pretty rare nowadays, not a lot of other ways to get HIV other than through sexual contact.
 

surreal1221

Golden Member
Mar 12, 2005
1,206
0
0
I got tested about a week ago, on national HIV testing day. I highly suggest everyone that has never been tested, to go and get tested. If not for someone else, for your own peace of mind.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Originally posted by: surreal1221
I got tested about a week ago, on national HIV testing day. I highly suggest everyone that has never been tested, to go and get tested. If not for someone else, for your own peace of mind.

Isn't there a 6 months latency period before the HIV antibodies build up? So technically you never know for sure unless you've been inactive for the last 6 months.
 

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
76
Originally posted by: Baked
No, people I know are smart enough to get free condom from clinics.

Things happen in life no one can control, people make mistakes, and yours was being a TROLL in this thread. See you in 2 weeks.

AnandTech Moderator

pwn3d
 

eyecandy86

Senior member
Apr 17, 2005
648
1
0
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Originally posted by: Baked
No, people I know are smart enough to get free condom from clinics.

Things happen in life no one can control, people make mistakes, and yours was being a TROLL in this thread. See you in 2 weeks.

AnandTech Moderator

pwn3d

Sweet. I didn't see that. Thanks mods :)
 

Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: toekramp
Originally posted by: Baked
No, people I know are smart enough to get free condom from clinics.

I'm sorry did I say he got it from sex?

dont' be an ass

Did you say how in the OP? No. What do you think HIV ads suggest people get it from? Hmmm?
Huh? So you haven't heard of blood transfusion and needle sharing?
 

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
27,703
12
81
New drugs make this better and better all the time. That one drug just invented blocked HIV from attatching to white blood cells completely didn't it?
 

jabamayne

Senior member
May 12, 2005
246
0
0
Yes, HIV is manageable, but the most devastating part about HIV IMO is that your sex life will never be the same...



 

angstsoldat

Senior member
Jun 30, 2005
623
0
0
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Originally posted by: Baked
No, people I know are smart enough to get free condom from clinics.

Things happen in life no one can control, people make mistakes, and yours was being a TROLL in this thread. See you in 2 weeks.

AnandTech Moderator

pwn3d


man I was going to say that
 

Gulzakar

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,074
0
0
sorry to hear that.
I think the best thing you can do is go on as normal...as though he didn't have HIV (within reason...I wouldn't shar a razor, heh)...and when he has issues that arise, deal with them as they come.

simple as that.
 

stars

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2002
1,068
0
0
Be supportive by being there and not treating him differently or like a leper. Don't dwell on how he feels etc unless he mentions it but at the same time be sure he knows you're there for him.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,263
19,225
146
Originally posted by: stars
Be supportive by being there and not treating him differently or like a leper. Don't dwell on how he feels etc unless he mentions it but at the same time be sure he knows you're there for him.

Exactly. Don't show massive pity, either. Treat them exactly like you always have.
 
Aug 25, 2004
11,151
1
81
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: stars
Be supportive by being there and not treating him differently or like a leper. Don't dwell on how he feels etc unless he mentions it but at the same time be sure he knows you're there for him.

Exactly. Don't show massive pity, either. Treat them exactly like you always have.

say you're sorry to hear the news, but after that please treat him normally, as if you don't know he has HIV. for any major illness, i guess one of the worst parts is how other people treat you... so if you can spend time with him doing the same stuff you guys did before... like watching/playing sports or chatting or what not... it would take his mind off the HIV and kinda make him feel like a normal guy. don't bring it up unless he does.