The Horror of Denial

Summary

Explore The Horror of Denial on hiveaid.org—an intimate reflection on resilience, healing through awareness, and the supportive strength of an HIV community.

The horror of denial is not only placing yourself at risk. It is also jeopardizing the health and well-being of others. If you know or suspect that you are HIV positive, seek the treatments that you need to solve the problem. Above all, be mindful of the health of others. Even if you are diagnosed with HIV positive status and feel fine, you should reconsider some relationship activities. Use a high level of security to guarantee the other person’s safety.

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice!

Denying your HIV status is harmful to yourself. It is also harmful to others who are exposed to the virus. If you have been diagnosed with HIV or think you have been infected, you should seek medical care. Start taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible. ART can reduce the amount of HIV in your blood and lower your risk of transmitting it to others.

You should also practice safer sex. Use condoms correctly every time you have sex and avoid sharing injection drug equipment. If you are HIV-negative and at high risk of HIV, consider taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a daily pill that can prevent HIV infection. By taking these steps, you can protect your own health and the health of others.

The horror – Avoiding the Truth

Denial can be a way of avoiding the truth or reality of something that makes us uncomfortable or anxious. Denial can also be dangerous. It can make us act as if nothing is wrong when there is a serious problem. Denial can blind us to the risks we are taking or the opportunities we are missing.

Denial can prevent us from learning from our mistakes or seeking help when we need it. Instead of living in denial, we should face our challenges with courage and honesty. We should accept our situation, deal with it, learn from it, and move on.

Experimenting with AI

(Original) There is a smile at the end of a tear. There is a realm of being much higher than hope. So, do well for yourself and for others regardless of current circumstances.

Bing AI generated the paragraph below from the one above. Which do you like best?

(Bing AI) Life is full of ups and downs, but don’t let that discourage you. Even when you cry, you can find a reason to smile. And even when you lose hope, you can discover a higher purpose. That’s why you should always do your best for yourself and for others, no matter what challenges you face.