For many people living with HIV, the hardest part is not only the diagnosis itself, but also the fear of being judged by others.
Recently, a Malaysian Threads user opened up about his life as a person living with HIV, sharing that he has kept his status a secret from almost everyone, including his own family.
‘I decided to stay silent and face it alone’
In his post, the man described being diagnosed with HIV as one of the worst things that had ever happened to him.
He said he has been living with the diagnosis privately, as he felt ashamed and did not want to burden his parents or have them ask difficult questions.
According to him, not even his family knows about his status.
He added that only a few close friends know, and they have never judged him for it.
Despite the stigma surrounding people living with HIV, he shared that he has already achieved U=U for almost 8 years and is currently healthy.
U=U stands for “Undetectable = Untransmittable”, which means that when a person living with HIV is on effective treatment and maintains an undetectable viral load, they cannot transmit HIV sexually.
I have been U=U for almost 8 years. I am healthy, God willing. Please pray that I stay strong,” he wrote.
Netizens share their own experiences
His post quickly received many supportive comments, with several Malaysians also sharing their own experiences living with HIV.
One user said they have been living with HIV for 12 years, and that their family knows about it.
They encouraged the man not to stress himself, adding that it is okay if he does not want others to know, as long as he takes care of himself and continues taking his medication.
Another user shared that they are now in their 6th year of living with HIV, but only one friend knows about their status.
They said they had once tried to hint to their mother about having HIV, but felt that their family still had an old-school mindset where HIV is immediately associated with AIDS.
The user added that while it is sad to keep it hidden, life still has to go on.
‘Do not judge them’
A social media user who claimed to have more than 30 clients who are people living with HIV also reminded others not to judge them.
They said many of their clients are genuinely good people, but had gone through different tests in life due to past actions and choices.
“Never judge them. We have not been tested the same way,” the user wrote.
Another commenter shared that their close friend has been living with HIV for more than 15 years and remains healthy.
According to them, the friend has been undetectable for more than 15 years and has a strong CD4 count.
The original poster later replied that CD4 count depends on the individual, but as long as it remains within a healthy range, the person can still be healthy like anyone else.
Why medication still matters after reaching U=U
Some netizens were also curious about why a person living with HIV still needs to take medication even after reaching U=U.
The man explained that medication helps keep the virus suppressed and prevents it from becoming active or multiplying again in the body.
He also advised people living with HIV to follow the medication schedule recommended by their doctor.
For example, if the doctor advises them to take their medicine at 10pm every day, then that should become their daily routine.
He added that if someone accidentally misses a dose by an hour or two, they should take it as soon as possible and set an alarm to help them stay consistent.
‘If you follow the doctor’s advice, you can live like anyone else’
In another reply, the man was asked whether HIV would affect a person’s skin.
He explained that if a person is diagnosed with HIV, they should seek medical advice, follow the doctor’s instructions, and take their medication consistently.
He said a person living with HIV can still look healthy and live normally if they follow medical advice and do not stop treatment on their own.
He also reminded others not to stop taking medication just because they feel better.
According to him, people living with HIV need to continue their medication to stay healthy and keep the virus suppressed in the body.
Supportive comments pour in
Many netizens praised him for being brave enough to share his story and raise awareness.
One commenter said they had deep respect for people living with HIV who consistently take their medication until they reach U=U, joking that some people even struggle to finish a 5-day course of antibiotics.
Another left a heartfelt message, saying they respected the man’s strength for facing everything over the years.
The commenter added that stigma should not determine a person’s worth, and wished him strength, peace, and good health.
HIV is not the same as AIDS
One of the biggest misconceptions mentioned in the comment section was the belief that HIV automatically means AIDS.
HIV is a virus that affects the immune system, while AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection if it is left untreated.
With proper treatment, people living with HIV can suppress the virus, stay healthy, and live normal lives.
As the man himself shared, awareness matters because it helps prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS and also reduces stigma towards people living with HIV.
While he may still be keeping his status private from his family, his story has opened up a much-needed conversation online.
More importantly, it reminded many Malaysians that people living with HIV are not defined by their diagnosis.
With treatment, support, and less judgement from society, they can continue living healthy lives just like everyone else.
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