The realities of living with HIV are more than the stigmas and urban legends surrounding it. The first action we must take to make a difference is to educate our friends and family. “Being HIV positive is not a death sentence. HIV cannot be transmitted through kissing,” says José Ramos, President and Founder of Impulse Group, who is also our expert and HIV advocate on this week’s episode of Living Y Ready. “HIV Positive people, like myself, can also be triathletes.”

So we are sharing three things you need to know about living with HIV. 

Number 1: You have to be diagnosed

This means once you have a positive HIV result you have it confirmed by a healthcare provider of which there are many affordable and even free options. Thanks to advancements in the medical field, the conversation is about the right treatment options. This isn’t always obvious at first because many times a positive HIV  diagnosis brings up fears, myths and stigmas, but the HIV healthcare field is rapidly innovating and there’s already tried and tested practices in place. In fact, the CDC defined an HIV care continuum to serve as a roadmap from when you’re diagnosed to how you’re treated, to the last stage where HIV virus can no longer be detected by tests. 

Number 2: you have to get linked to care 

Either through your insurance provider, local AHF, LGBT center or whatever it may be, the goal is to get you connected to care within a month of your diagnosis. Next you’ll need Received Care which is where, within a year, you’re able to start treatment with a healthcare provider. 

After that comes a step called Retained in Care and this is the ongoing care where your  healthcare provider will be able to understand your health needs and prescribe the medication you need, monitor doses and keep you on track. 

Number 3: we need you in the fight against HIV in the Latino community.

By sharing information like this video, and making people aware of treatment options and healthcare providers or community organizations like AHF or even Impulse (wink), you can be a hero in the fight against HIV. 

If you just found out you’re HIV positive, you think you might be, or HIV has somehow made its way into your life, our content on Living Y Ready is for you, because when HIV comes into your life the conversation is all about living!