back to top Growing up with HIV
“Growing up with HIV I didn't understand why me. I also didn't understand why I had to take so much medication at the time. So at one point I stopped taking my medication. I would hide it under plants and things of that sort. My levels were high, very high and if I didn't move with my sister in law and brother I would be very very sick or even possibly dead.” J.O.
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Can't Explain - A music video produced by young people to raise awareness about living with HIV.
Growing up is difficult enough for many young people – dealing with issues at school and work or with family and friends. But 5 million young people must also deal with growing up with HIV.
Working out who to tell, remembering to take medication, dealing with medical appointments and ignoring the prevailing stigma around this condition are just some of the things young people living with HIV must learn to juggle.
Many young people, like J.O (above), have shared their stories about being HIV-positive with AVERT. Often, people who have grown up with HIV reminisce about hiding their medication to avoid taking it. Balancing the responsibility of taking daily medication for their long-term health with ensuring that they get on and enjoy life can be hard for a young person. Especially when this responsibility falls on top of everything else, like puberty, sex and relationships.
Being happy, healthy and confident about living with HIV is really important. Our new HIV-positive Life section gives advice about being young and living positively. You can also read stories by young, HIV-positive people or share your own story.
