HIV and AIDS is a huge global problem. In just over 20 years, the virus has killed more people than all the wars and disasters of the last 50 years put together. Forty million people worldwide are now living with the disease, and the virus is still spreading fast. My name is Eric. I am 23 and I live in South Africa. I look fit and healthy now, but four years ago everything was different. I was very thin and I spent most of my days in bed. After I was diagnosed with HIV,many people called me names and avoided me.Most people are afraid to talk about HIV and AIDS. Many feel so ashamed that they won't even tell their boyfriend or girlfriend if they've got the HIV virus. My life was going downhill fast, until I got help from some charity workers. They helped me to accept that I have HIV. As soon as I started to feel good about myself again, I began to eat more healthily and I got stronger. Now I'm much better and people have stopped avoiding me so much. Some think I've been cured of the disease. I have to explain that it never goes away but that I am looking after myself properly now. These days I spend my time teaching other young people to talk openly about HIV and AIDS. Young people need to know how to protect themselves, because no one can help us unless we help ourselves first. |
