"Diagnosis of HIV"

I attended the Stoke clinic to speak to a sexual health professional as I’d been exposed to hiv.  While bloods were taken I felt that I could have been informed more to what would be ( I wasn’t aware of U-U at that time) and had I known more at that time I feel i would have managed the text message I received to tell me I was positive! 

After nights of hey next abs sleepless nights I spoke to Peter who was great.  By that time the thoughts and lack of my own knowledge lead me to feel suicidal (which was also a side effect of the medication). 

I reached out to a charity who I’m now a peer mentor for..  they were really helpful to giving me the knowledge I needed and helping me in my journey back to recovery.  They offer a free online U.K. wide service so it’s accessible to anyone.. and including partners who want some information  (I have provided this to Stoke service as I’d love to help abs reach out to anyone living with HIV via the charity.. 

I’m now back on track feel U.K. in a good place. The team in  Stoke on Trent are great from reception to the consultants and the specialist team who are fabulous. 

For me the missing link was the knowledge at the diagnosis and the support that I needed, not from a general councillor bit from someone living with HIV which I got from Plus Health Online.