Many people are scared that telling others about their HIV status will mean that they will be judged and stereotyped, but keeping it a secret can cause a lot of stress and make people feel isolated. Talking about HIV often makes people feel better and is a way we can break down harmful stigma. Carrie is right, if we could change the way that everyone thinks about HIV, it would make this world a much better place to live. Read our sharing your diagnosis page for more advice on how to disclose your status.
*These personal stories have been submitted to us anonymously by individuals who use our site. Some of the stories have been edited for clarity purposes. Some names have been changed to protect identities.
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/finwal.