How Can You Help Someone Who Has Been Newly Diagnosed with HIV?

1. Talk to them.

To understand better about their HIV status and health, have open and honest conversations with them. Follow their lead to start the conversation.

They may not always want to talk about it, or may not be ready. They may want to connect with you in the same ways they did before being diagnosed.

Do things you did together before their diagnosis; talk about things you talked about before their diagnosis. Let the person know, through your words or actions, that you see them as the same person and their HIV status does not change your relationship.

2. Ask them if they need your help.

Ask them if there's anything you can do to help them? Part of the reason they told you about their HIV status may be that they need your help.

3. Listen to them and reassure them.

Being diagnosed with HIV is life-changing news. Listen to your loved one and offer your support. Reassure them that HIV is a manageable health condition. There are medicines that can treat HIV and help them stay healthy.

4. Learn about HIV.

Educate yourself about HIV: What it is, how it is transmitted, how it is treated, and how people can stay healthy while living with HIV.

5. Encourage treatment.

Some people who are recently diagnosed may find it hard to take that first step to HIV treatment. Your support and assistance may be helpful.

By getting linked to HIV medical care early, starting treatment with HIV medication (called antiretroviral therapy or ART), adhering to medication, and staying in care, people with HIV can keep the virus under control, and prevent their HIV infection from progressing to AIDS.

6. Support medication adherence.

It is important for people living with HIV to take their HIV medication every day, exactly as prescribed.

7. Take care of your and their mental health.

Taking care of your own health will ensure you can be the best support possible for friend when they need you. Talk to someone if you have any questions and concerns.

If your friend seems very sad or overwhelmed, ask if talking to a therapist might be helpful. If your friend seems interested, you can go with your friend to a local health clinic and ask for resources for helping someone with HIV/AIDS.

If you want to help someone living with HIV, do it in a way that empowers them and doesn’t make them feel like a burden, a victim, or a charity case.

As long as it is about HIV, we have to hate the disease but not the diseased. Spread awareness about HIV, not ignorance. If your friend knows that you care about them, support them and stand with them in every situation that can be the best thing you can do for a person living with any type of medical condition.