I just found out that my best friend was born HIV positive...??

Question

Me and Michelle have been best friends since kindergarten. Today we went to the beach just me and her and she told me. and i broke down in tears and then she started crying because she always cries when she sees me crying. I didn't know what to say or do. I didn't even want to believe her because she's michelle you know. I grew up with her. I love her. She's like a sister. I know she's not lying. she would never lie about something like this. Even though I wish she was. Her mom died when she was 10 and she never told me how or why she died. but now I know. After that I felt so sick. When I got home I threw up. the ride home was so quiet. i was in shock. I can't lose her. She's too important in my life. It's like how can something like this happen to someone like her. She's always been perfect. I've always been kind of jealous of her because she's so pretty and thin and tall. And everyone has always liked her. How long can someone with HIV live? She's only 16. She's too young to die. Is there anything I can do for her???

Answer 1

She's not going to die.

HIV is no longer the death sentence it used to be. Medications are becoming increasingly advanced, and most people with HIV can live a near normal life span. You can even live many years after it progresses to AIDS.

Is there anything you can do? Be supportive. Don't treat her any differently.

Answer 2

She can live a long long long time with medications. Magic Johnson has been HIV+ forever it seems and he is still doing well. With the drugs they have now she should be fine. You went 16 years without knowing. Nothing has changed except for the fact that now you know. Make sure that is the ONLY thing that changes between the two of you.  

Answer 3

It's not necessarily a death sentence. She'll just have to try not to get sick and keep her immunity level up. Best wishes.

Answer 4

Make sure she is going to see her doctor on a regular basis! There are new HIV drugs coming out every month. She can have a lot more time on this earth than she could have 6 years ago. People are getting 10-20+ more years now than they were earlier!

Pray for her and give her what she truly needs. A best friend who loves her and accepts her. Don't waste time worrying about when she is gonna die. If you do you'll only waste the time you have with her now and all that worry won't make her die any faster or slower. So just clear your head and continue to spend time enjoying eachother!

Answer 5

I don't know much about aids and HIV.  but if you have any questions, you should ask her about it.  or look stuff up on the net.  Just be her friend like you have in the past.  and just remember she had hiv when you met her in kindergarten.  just love her like you always have and don't worry about when she's going to die.  Like you can be in a car tomorrow and it goes over a bridge and you die.  No one really knows when they're going to die.  A doctor can give someone six months and they can live for six years.  you just never know.  but the best of luck to you.  

Answer 6

She could still live a long very full life.  The virus hasn't progressed to AIDS yet..that is what actually causes your immune system to fail.  Even when that happens, they have medicines now that help keep your immune system up longer.  It's horrible that she has to live with that, but it's no reason for her to live her life in fear.  Really the only thing you can do for her is support her and love her for who she is.  Don't alienate her because of it.  I forgot to say encourage her when she's feeling down.  I don't know if you are religious or not, but I'll be praying for both of you.

Answer 7

You can't do anything but continue to be her best friend and support her. I'm sure she wanted to tell you sooner. A person with HIV can live for a very long time with the medications that are out nowadays...So far she has lived 16 great years so there can be many more to come. I'm glad you don't feel disgusted or aren't asking stupid questions like can I get it by hugging her or drinking from her cup.

She sounds like a strong girl. Just be a strong friend. It was hard for her to tell you this I'm sure. She doesn't have AIDS so that's a really good thing. She only has the HIV virus. Just continue being there for her when she wants to talk about it and most importantly, don't treat her any differently.

I had a friend in high school who died because when she was younger, either her father or uncle was raping her and had AIDS, but she didn't tell anyone except one girl. The girl eventually told me and I don't think many people knew what she died from, but until she got sick, you would have never guessed what was wrong with her. She had AIDS though, not HIV. She'll be ok. You can live with HIV nowadays.