My reflections on World AIDS Day

It’s always shocking and disheartening to see that many people still hold the misconception that HIV-positive individuals are a threat. It’s puzzling because most of us were once HIV negative and only became positive after contracting the virus. Our main goal is to live healthy, fulfilling lives. We take our medication diligently to stay undetectable and to prevent transmission. It’s a testament to how much we value our own lives and the lives of others.

Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of stigma and misunderstanding. On this World AIDS Day, I see so many comments that still perpetuate the idea that HIV-positive people are dangerous or malicious. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We don’t want to spread the virus; we want to manage it and live well. The real threat lies in the lack of awareness and the people who don’t know their status.

In my country, for instance, about 95% of HIV-positive individuals are consistent with their treatment. That shows our commitment to health and well-being. We’re not the villains in this narrative; we’re just people trying to live our best lives. We’re here, we’re resilient, and we’re determined to live well and thrive.