Personal story: Akudzwe

"I am currently 6 months pregnant; I am 25 and found out that I have HIV when I went to my first OBGYN appointment. I just got married a month prior to the man of my dreams. When they told us my whole world stopped, I couldn't breathe. I looked at my husband and my eyes filled with tears. I was petrified – for my life and the life of my unborn child. My husband immediately held me close while I cried. He asked to be tested as well. His test came back negative. Thank God! But then I thought for sure he was going to leave me... And I wouldn't blame him.

How could this happen to me? You only hear about this happening to gay people where I am from. But that is not true at all – HIV does not discriminate. I went to the infectious disease doctor and found out that I have had HIV for 7 years. This meant that I got it when I was 17 years old, and my counts came back that I had AIDS.

If I didn't become pregnant when I did and find out I was positive ... I would be dead by next year. This baby saved my life, and I am so grateful for that. My husband did not leave me. Our relationship is so strong now because of this. I appreciate my family and everyone and thing so much more… I appreciate a beautiful day and a wet kiss from my dog.

My biggest fear is that my baby will be born positive. I am on medications to prevent it. So hopefully the baby will be healthy. I do feel like an outcast. I ask myself 'why me?' every day, I rack my brain wondering who could have given it to me... I guess I will never know, and I have to look ahead and be thankful for my husband and my baby on the way."