Newly Diagnosed

Dear Friend,

SO…YOU HAVE FOUND OUT THAT YOU ARE HIV POSITIVE.

This is a pivotal point in your life. It’s normal for you to feel many kinds of feelings; fear, frustration, anger, confusion.

HOWEVER…

It is very important for you to realize that your future with HIV IS NOT one that you must face alone. There are many people ready to help you and guide you through learning how to live a HIGH QUALITY life while managing this disease.

Here are some local groups that can help you start your journey:

• FRIENDS FOR LIFE (901) 272-0855
• Memphis and Shelby County Health Department (901) 544-7711
• Community HIV Network (901) 545-6577 (families, women and children)

Check out the HIV/AIDS Resource Directory provided by the Community HIV Network.

On a national level you can contact the following hotlines for information and assistance:

• National AIDS Hotline (800) 342-2437
• Teen AIDS Hotline (800) 234-8336

You may also want to check out Visionary Health Concepts at www.freehivinfo.com/.

Many things have changed about HIV during the years. Most notably, the newer medications are SAVING lives. HIV Infection IS NO LONGER A CERTAIN DEATH SENTENCE. It is becoming a chronic illness that often can be managed through the medications and other means.

You will be making MANY LIFE CHOICES in the near future and these choices will DEFINITELY IMPACT not only the quality of your life, but actually HOW LONG YOU LIVE. Adherence to your medical treatment and the medications that are prescribed to you is the one most important task facing you, while other life habits and choices may also be altered.

Here are some hints to help you with your choices:

• Contact your local AIDS service organization - in Memphis call us - (901) 272-0855 - to find a doctor who will be able to help you
• Find a group of people in your area who are understanding and supportive. In the Memphis area, you can call us at Friends For Life (901) 272-0855
• Educate your self about your treatment options. You can do this by subscribing to the following free periodicals:
  • Positively Aware www.positivelyaware.org: Phone number - (773) 989-9400
  • POZ Magazine www.poz.com: Phone number - (212) 242 2163
  • Gay Men’s Health Crisis www.gmhc.org: GMHC Toll Free Hotline - (800) 243-7692
  • See the many other periodicals that can be subscribed to by going to the Periodicals page found under the RESOURCES menu

We have many programs that will help you in your life journey with this disease. Most of the programs have been developed by persons who are living with the disease and understand the various issues that affect your daily life.

Here are some web sites that can give you more information about being newly diagnosed.

• The Newly Diagnosed Resource Center on The Body, http://www.thebody.com/content/art49985.html?ic=700100
• The Center for AIDS: Hope and Remembrance Project, found on The Body, provides HIV-Positive people with a short, but powerful list of "25 Things You Should Know if You Are HIV-Positive." http://www.thebody.com/cfa/top25/top25.html?m40h
• Project Inform’s introductory packet is a great starting place for people newly diagnosed with HIV. Features articles and facts sheets on treatment strategies, doctor/patient relationships, and more. Also available in Spanish. www.projectinform.org/
• GMHC I am…. Newly diagnosed -- This is a great web site which gives those who are newly diagnosed with guide on how to handle the first year. www.gmhc.org/quickguides/newly_diagnosed.html
• Just Diagnosed with HIV? The Body’s starting place for people newly diagnosed with HIV. Articles on understanding HIV, choosing and working with a physician, first steps to treatment, telling others, and more. www.thebody.com/learning.html
• You just found out you’re HIV Positive- This is a web site from UCSF which has real helpful connections to other web sites for those who are recently diagnosed. www.hivinsite.com
• Positive living: A practical guide for people with HIV- Prepared by the Seattle and King county Department of Public Health. Also available in Spanish. www.metrokc.gov/health/apu

Please allow us to become your ‘friend for life’. The sole reason we exist is to serve you and help you maintain the highest quality of life possible for you.

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