I am... newly diagnosed
If you just found at that you are HIV-positive, you should know
that you are not alone and there is a lot of information and support
available to you. Feelings of intense anger, sadness, confusion,
fear, relief, denial and many others are all a part of a normal
emotional response to finding out you are positive. With counseling
and support, these emotions should become less intense as time goes
on. Regardless of what you are feeling right now, finding out that
you are HIV- positive makes you better able to take good care of
yourself.
How GMHC can help
Take a look at our new brochure
10 Ways to Take Care of Yourself When You Have HIV Disease
Contact your local AIDS Service Organization
(ASO)
ASO's are organizations created specifically to help people with
HIV manage their lives. If you are in New York City, you might choose
GMHC. To find an ASO
elsewhere, call your local HIV/AIDS hotline or try the following
Web sites.
Find health care providers
Selecting a doctor is one of the most important decisions
you make about your health care. You will have a long relationship
with your doctor, so you'll want to take the time to make the right
choice. See our Finding
a Doctor section for important things to consider when looking
for a doctor. You can also call or email the GMHC Hotline:
hotline@gmhc.org
; 1- 800-AIDS-NYC or try the following Web sites:
Educate yourself regarding treatment options
If you are in New York City, you can come to GMHC and visit
our HIV/AIDS Treatment
Library. This Web site also has an extensive
treatment section, including our Treatment
Issues newsletter.
Talk to us
Sometimes it is easier to ask questions if you know you will not
have to give your name. If you would like to speak anonymously with
a peer counselor, please call the GMHC Hotline
at 212-807-6655 or 1-800-AIDS-NYC (1-800-243-7692).
Additional resources
The following Web sites offer useful information for people who
are newly diagnosed.
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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