HIV, and our relationships carry on as normal. I never did want to be treated differently. Having said that though, I have learned to never complain about any illness unless I know it is really serious...and even then I play it down.
My circle of HIV positive friends grew and I felt I had a great balance. Every now and then I would meet up with my peers, have a few drinks and be able to talk about anything related to our status.
Since moving to the country I have had little contact with my HIV friends. One night last week I met up with a group of friends, one of whom was positive. It felt like manna from heaven, and without realising it, he and I immediately fell into ‘HIV speak’ and forgot about everyone else at the table - we could talk about our ‘aches and pains’ and not worry each other.
I think when you are suffering from a life-threatening illness you do not want to tell people about your everyday symptoms. I have realised that it is a luxury for healthy people to complain about their health. The usual advice to them is along the lines of: “Oh! Don’t

worry, it is only a cold/flu, everyone’s going down with it, have some Lemsip, you’ll be fine.” The only people who seem able to say this to me are others in the same situation...they are also HIV positive.
So to any healthy hypochondriacs reading this, do not feel guilty, you have a luxury I really miss...To moan and not be taken seriously...yes, please.