My Story on my HIV Diagnosis - Joy
Since childhood, I had constantly been in and out of hospital. My mother died in 2000 and in the same year, during one of the hospital visits, my father requested I be tested for HIV. It turned out positive. This was not disclosed to me as I was only 8 years old.
I was initiated on medication that I would take daily without knowing what I was ailing from. My father had warned me against disclosing to anyone that I was on medication. This worried me, but I hid my father’s words.
I would be given the medicine daily, but most of the time I used to hide or throw them away because I didn't understand why I was taking medicine daily. It was tiring. This made my health deteriorate further.
When I turned 14 years old, I told my father I would like to know which disease I had because I was on medication throughout. He told me I had a heart problem, that's why I was always on medication and that I was supposed to continue taking them everyday.
In 2009, when I was 17 years old, I became very sick and was taken to a health facility where a close relative worked. I overheard a conversation between my relative and the health care provider that I should be tested for HIV, but remained calm. It was after the test that I was advised to adhere to the medication given. I had more questions than answers; I wondered how HIV and the heart problem were connected.
The health care provider did not disclose my status to me, but from their conversation, I knew I was HIV positive and this left me with many unanswered questions I recall.
When my father came to visit me in the hospital, I asked him about my illness and how it was connected to HIV. I told him everything I overheard between my relative and the other healthcare provider. Still he insisted on me having a heart problem but he promised to discuss with me more about my health later.
My relative disclosed my HIV positive status to my teachers and some members of the community and this affected my mental health as I faced a lot of stigma from school and the community to the extent of being depressed. I really struggled with adherence.
My failure to adhere to my medication led to virologic failure leading to a switch from first- to second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). A switch of regimens is recommended for HIV patients with virologic failure to avert drug resistance, advanced immunosuppression, increased morbidity and mortality, and to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to uninfected sex partners.
In 2010, at 18 years old, I confronted my father to confirm why I was still on medication, plus why my younger brother and I were not feeling sick. My father opened up to me about my HIV status and how I found myself in that status and offered me a lot of support and motivation. My adherence counsellor also stepped in and walked with me through the journey of self-acceptance and adherence to antiretroviral treatment.
The assurance and counselling I received from my immediate family and the medics brought about a new chapter in my life as I accepted my status and made up my mind to adhere to my medication.
With 22 years of taking ARVs, I have since gained confidence and currently volunteer as a Peer Educator in my community and to the young people in my church. I motivate my fellow HIV positive young adults on self-acceptance, adherence to medication and ways to overcome stigma. I have accepted my HIV status and I am living a positive life.
