This document provides information for HIV-positive Latinos on health, treatment, and living with HIV. It discusses how an HIV diagnosis can affect people emotionally and the importance of seeking support from community organizations. It also emphasizes the importance of self-care, continuing life goals and education, and accessing appropriate medical care and treatment options. The overall message is that while having HIV brings challenges, individuals are not alone and can take steps to maintain their health.
1. You Are Not Alone
Health and Treatment
for HIV-Positive Latinos
Provided as an educational resource by Merck.
2. “I think that it is important
that my generation
reach acceptance and be
open with our status,
to prove to ourselves and
others that we’re just like
everybody else.”
Foreword
HIV affects young Latino gay and bisexual men at higher rates
than most other populations. A lack of access to culturally
appropriate health care and HIV testing opportunities make it
difficult for many Latinos to learn if they have HIV. Homophobia
and stigma may contribute to feelings of shame and prevent
communication about HIV. This booklet was written with the
help of HIV-positive Latino gay and bisexual men. They shared
their stories to help others find the support and treatment they
need. Some were newly diagnosed, while others have been
HIV-positive for many years. They told us that it’s important
to remember that you are not alone, and we hope that this
information will help you seek support and treatment.
2 3
3. In the last 30 years, advances in supportive services
and treatment have changed what it means to be HIV-
positive. HIV-positive people who begin treatment may
improve their overall health. Latino gay and bisexual
men are greatly affected by HIV, and often live in places
that lack services to support those who are positive. In
some Latino communities, homophobia, harassment,
and stigma about HIV infection prevent people from
talking or learning about it.
This can make some men feel alone and ashamed that
they are HIV-positive. You are not alone. In this booklet
we discuss what it’s like to live with HIV, and the steps
you can take to be healthier.
“Hope is very important
because it reminds us
that life goes on.”
Learning that you have HIV, working with a health care
provider to evaluate your condition, and knowing what to
expect after diagnosis
6 DIAGNOSIS
8 FIRST STEPS
10 SELF-CARE
12 LIFE GOES ON
14 SEEKING CARE
16 LEARNING ABOUT TREATMENT OPTIONS
Reaching out in order to begin addressing your needs
Engaging in activities that can help you maintain a healthier
lifestyle, both physically and emotionally
Focusing on ways in which HIV can impact your life outside
of medical care
Finding the right combination of support, services, and
health care
Understanding how to manage your HIV medication
4 5
Table of Contents
4. Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with learning that you have HIV. It’s important
to get tested early so that you consider your HIV status when
making decisions about your health. After receiving your initial
positive result, further testing will be required.
Learning that you have HIV can be a shock. For some, an HIV
diagnosis is a wake-up call and motivation to focus on your
health. Regardless of your first reaction, you may go through
various emotional stages, including denial, anger, sadness,
isolation, fear, and changes in your relationship with sex.
These are all normal reactions, and in most cases these
feelings will pass. Reclaiming your life from these feelings
can begin with reaching out to others, which is one of
the first positive steps you can make after diagnosis.
“I didn’t have sex for a while
after my HIV diagnosis.”
6 7
5. “When someone is recently
diagnosed they may not know
where to go, and if they’re
discriminated at home, it’s that
much worse.”
One way to handle your positive HIV test result is to
begin reaching out. Most places that provide HIV testing
have trained staff to help you work through your diagnosis,
and guide you to the support and other information you
may need.
Reaching out can also help you deal with the stigma that
you may experience out in the world or within yourself.
Many people fear being rejected because of their HIV-
positive status. Counselors at community organizations can
assist you with learning how and when to disclose your
status. Talking to other HIV-positive people can also ease
your fears and provide you with emotional support.
For some, support groups are helpful in dealing with the
isolation and emotions that often follow an HIV diagnosis.
These emotions can lead to risky behaviors that affect
your health. Support groups can also help you meet
others living with the same issues. Support groups may
be held at community organizations, clinics, and AIDS
service organizations.
But not everyone feels comfortable sharing their
experiences with a group or has access to one. For some,
one-on-one counseling works better. Some people prefer
to leave their neighborhood to find support. Others don’t
mind staying local. Choose what works best for you.
8 9
First Steps
6. “I’ve been positive now for 4 years
and I’ve come to the conclusion that
it begins internally.”
For some men, using alcohol, tobacco
and other substances is a concern.
Some use drugs to feel better or numb
themselves from their troubles. Use of
drugs can affect your overall health and
judgment, increasing your chances of
engaging in risky behaviors and
contracting other sexually transmitted
infections. Self-care is important for all,
but particularly for those with HIV.
Taking control of your diet, exercise, sexual health, and
substance use can help you stay healthier. Eating the healthiest
food available and exercising regularly not only makes you look
good but also feel good. Some AIDS service organizations in
your community may have nutrition programs, food pantries,
and wellness services.
The ways you engage in sexual relationships may change.
For some men, finding out they have HIV makes them feel like
they can no longer have an active sexual life. But this isn’t the
case. It’s important to educate yourself on how the virus is
transmitted and avoid behaviors that may put you or a partner
at risk for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
HIV cannot be transmitted by touching, hugging, or closed-
mouth kissing. HIV is generally transmitted via sexual
intercourse and sharing needles and works with someone who
is HIV-positive. The virus is found in blood, semen, pre-
ejaculatory fluid, breast milk, and vaginal fluids. Unfortunately,
not everyone has access to this information, and you may have
to educate your friends, family, and partners. Talking about
safer sex with your partner can be uncomfortable, but health
care providers and AIDS service organizations can help you
with these conversations.
Self-Care
10 11
“It’s important to stay on
your medical regimen, and
you should also place
emphasis on your lifestyle.”
7. At first, you may feel like your identity is all about being
HIV-positive. But it’s important to understand that it’s only
part of your life. Focusing on education, employment, and
community involvement can help you feel empowered and
in control. Continuing your education and pursuing your
goals not only helps you financially, but can also provide
new opportunities that you may not have thought possible.
HIV may not be your only challenge. Homophobia and
HIV-related stigma are still major problems for HIV-positive
gay and bisexual men. Young gay men in particular still
struggle with issues of bullying and harassment. In addition,
your health can be affected by many other concerns, like
job issues, homelessness, lack of health care, poverty,
immigration status, and violence. These things often need
to be addressed on their own, or while seeking care for
HIV. Community-based and AIDS service organizations can
help you with these challenges.
Life Goes On
“I informed myself as much
as I could about what’s going
on in the epidemic, that
way I am able to share the
information with others.”
12 13
8. Seeking care is a personal journey. It can be impacted by
every aspect of your life, including nutrition, mental health,
rehabilitation, and immigration status. When appropriate,
it may include drug therapies for HIV. It is important to find
health care providers and professionals who understand how
HIV can affect you. Seek those who are familiar with Latino
culture, Spanish language, and the treatment of gay and
bisexual men with HIV.
If you are HIV-positive, it is likely that you will need treatment
one day, even if that day seems far from now. When to start
treatment is a decision that each individual must make with
the help of health care providers. Regular blood tests can help
to keep track of the level of HIV in your body and how it is
affecting your immune system. If you feel it’s necessary, seek
a second opinion, or talk to other HIV-positive people who
have already made the decision to start treatment.
Seeking Care
14 15
“To commit to taking medications you need to
be ready to take them properly because if you
don’t they may not work as well.”
9. HIV medications can be effective when taken as instructed by
a health care provider. In some cases, treatment can reduce
the presence of the virus in your blood. Side effects vary from
drug to drug, and from person to person. Work with your
health care provider to make sure that you are taking
medications that are right for you.
The effectiveness of today’s medications can lead some to feel
as if they’re cured—but this is not correct. There is no cure for
HIV. Not taking your medication can allow the virus to multiply,
make you sicker, or may result in you becoming resistant to
treatment. Once you are in a treatment program, stay with it.
Learning About
Treatment Options
“We need to let people
know that there are options
and resources today.”
16 17
10. 18 19
“I think you tend to surround yourself with more
HIV-positive people to get support, but it doesn’t
matter whether you’re positive or negative to be
in a friendship or relationship with somebody.”
The stigma often associated with HIV may make you
feel like you are alone, but you’re not. Building a
community of people to support you, professionally
and personally, can help.
In the beginning, you may feel like you can only relate
to other men like you who are HIV-positive. It is
important to remind yourself that friends and family
who are HIV-negative can be a good source of support.
Once you have made the decision to enter care and
treatment, stick with it. Find a way to make medication
part of your routine. If you feel comfortable asking your
friends or family for support, then it’s not all on you.
Learn as much as you can about HIV. Stay informed
about new developments. The more you know, the
more choices you have.
You Are Not Alone
11. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): is a virus that
attacks your immune system, your body’s main defense
against infections, and prevents it from doing its job.
Risk Factors: are things that increase the chance of someone
being infected with HIV. Examples of behavioral risk factors
are having unprotected sex, sharing needles and works,
including for hormones, and sharing tattoo and piercing
equipment with an HIV-positive person. Examples of societal
risk factors are poverty, discrimination, stigma, and lack of
access to education.
CD4 Cells and Count: CD4 cells are a type of white blood
cell, called T-cells, that fight infections in your body. HIV
infects CD4 cells, and eventually reduces their numbers in
the blood. This weakens the immune system. A CD4 cell
count measures how many CD4 cells are in a sample of
blood, which is used by a medical provider to understand
the health of your immune system. An individual’s CD4 count
can vary. A count greater than 500 in each microliter (mm3
)
is considered normal.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): is a
disease caused by HIV. AIDS is diagnosed by a medical
provider based on the health of a person’s immune
system, which is measured by a CD4 cell count and any
opportunistic infections (AIDS-defining illness).
Viral Load: is a measure of HIV in a sample of your body’s
fluids, usually blood. Knowing your viral load helps your
medical provider understand how HIV is affecting you, as well
as helps determine when to begin treatment.
Opportunistic Infections: are infections caused by
particular pathogens that take advantage of a compromised
immune system, like the immune system of someone who is
HIV-positive.
Antiretroviral Therapy: is the treatment that helps to
control HIV from multiplying in the body, and can help slow
the progression of opportunistic infections for a period of
time. Usually, treatment involves multiple medications, which
work together to attack HIV and reduce its effects on your
body. This is also called “Combination ART” or “HAART,”
for “Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.”
Important Definitions
20 21
12. National Resources The Body is a Web site that is dedicated to providing
up-to-date information about HIV, AIDS, treatment, specific
medications, side effects, and living well.
Main Site: http://www.thebody.com
En Español: http://www.thebody.com/espanol
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a hotline service
available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to
provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information, and
referrals. Assistance is available in English and in Spanish.
1-800-799-7233
Main Site: http://thehotline.org
En Español: http://www.thehotline.org/en-la-linea-nacional-
sobre-la-violencia-domestica
WebMD is an informative Web site on medical issues.
WebMD has a list of HIV and AIDS hotlines and information
resources for support and treatment.
http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/aids-helplines
22 23
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) Network
organizes a national day of HIV awareness and testing for
Latinos on October 15th of each year. They also provide
information about HIV and AIDS, tips for people living with
HIV, and national testing resources on their Web site.
Main Site: http://www.nlaad.org
En Español: http://www.nlaad.org/esp
The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) National AIDS
Hotline allows you to speak with a person about local service
organizations, counseling, support groups, and treatment.
1-800-232-4636
Main Site: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv
En Español: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/spanish
Project Inform is an organization dedicated to providing
health and treatment information to people living with HIV
and AIDS.
1-800-822-7422
Main Site: http://www.projectinform.org
En Español: http://www.projectinform.org/espanol