Personal story: Jesse

"I was being sick all the time and had constant diarrhoea, bad stomach pains, loss of sleep, and night sweats. Up to this point I had always been reasonably healthy apart from the odd cold. My symptoms went on for weeks. I had tried to contact my doctor over this time, and the other doctors I spoke to just said it was a virus and gave me antibiotics and pain killers. I even ended up in hospital but got sent home as they said they couldn't find anything.

I remained ill for another three months before I finally got to speak to my doctor, who was very concerned and said she was going to send me for tests. At this point it was clear something was very wrong with me. She called me the next day and told me that my bloods had indicated I was HIV-positive. I started to cry; I couldn't believe it.

The doctor said I needed to have a second test to confirm and then she would refer me to an HIV clinic. I attended a sexual health clinic the same day. The nurse was brilliant, she confirmed the result. Again, I was crying. How could it be? How would I tell my family? I just didn't know what to do.

I went home and broke down. I told my mum, and I'm glad I did. She has been brilliant and so supportive. I know I'm lucky, as not everyone gets support from their families. For the same reason, I can't tell my stepdad because people don't understand and there are still views that you’re filthy or promiscuous if you have HIV. It's not the case at all.

I was feeling so scared that I was going to die because of the stage I'm at. I just kept getting upset and depressed. I've now been to the clinic and my specialist is amazing. She reassured all my worries. I've started treatment and although I still have sickness, I feel that I will be ok."