My friend got HIV, what should I do?

You're friend is so lucky to have you. Dont listen to anybody they just didnt understand the feeling of being sick. Your friend needs all the support that he can get so that he will have courage to survive and accept what happened to him. Understand him but always use safety precautions but make it sure that he will doesnt notice it.

Hello Fulltank. I understand the situation between your friend with HIV and his other friends. I guess that it is probably because the others feel scared about HIV disease. I think that you are very nice, loyal and friendly to your friend when you are still friends, visiting him. It seems that HIV is not a big deal so long as you are careful not to share some special stuffs he has used and then you will be safe. Is it something like this? I wish your friend to get recovered from HIV with the aid of the advanced medical science that is still waiting to be advanced in this field of research on HIV with good luck.

You can stick with him as what real friend does or you can abandon him like his other "friends". I knew some people with AIDS and they still live like normal people. In order for them to live a normal life we should treat them as normal people also so they could move on and accept everything. That's how we help them.

This is the time of this persons life that they need all kinds of support and need to know that they are still loved. I would read up on HIV and you will see that you nor can anyone catch this by hugging or holding hands or stuff like that. Some people are just to judgmental and don't stop to realize that this person is fighting for their lives now and need all the help from everyone and anyone. I can't imagine what he is going through but I have known a lot of people through the years with HIV and know that they are more scared of it then someone that don't have it. Don't leave your friend your friend really needs you and will always need you. The thing for you to do is give moral support and try to understand this isn't his fault. Give him a hug and tell him you will always be with him no matter what and mean it when you say it. A true friend would read about this sickness and stick with their friend. Don't loose a friend over something that he has no control over. I will keep you and your friend in my prayers.

If you are in his condition,what does he do? You also say the symptom's and effect of this disease not only just affect his body but also his spirit and soul,now the family and the friends is important to him,please support him,and you should notice the disease,after all,more sicker is not good news.

Listen to your heart Fulltank. Even though reading your comments back I think you already know what to do. And look at Magic Johnson there are millions of people living with HIV and are having wonderful lives. He is still your friend, still the exact same person you came to care about. I know if the roles were reversed you would want your friends to stand by you. And the ones that walked away maybe they will come back maybe not. They may not know how to handle it right now either. Some might not be able to handle it at all. Just always treat the way you did before they got this news. Just be the best friend you can be and don't worry about the ones who left. It's awesome you are there for him and trust me he won't forget what a wonderful person you are. I am sure there are groups you can look into that will give you more info or a support group for your friend if he is really struggling with all of this and you can go with him for support. Take care and God Bless

hi fulltank just go on being his friend and support him as always.What the others do or think must not affect your friendship with him, give him the same loving support that you always have. He is still the same friend, he is just ill and he needs his family's love and support and your friendship and support too. Do not be ashamed of him,he is ill, just treat him the same as always, You will be glad you did if anything happens and he does die,you will know that you did not turn your back on a friend.

It is case which no one would have thought for his loved friend. What i suggest is to stay as normal to him and behave as usual to him as you did before. Remember aids is not a contagious disease due to food, air, water or touch. Stay normal and respect his dignity and privacy. If you are truly a good friend then you even would need to advocate his problems against the cruel world. Best of luck.

I would just keep continuing being their friend and be there for them when they need it. It really is disappointing that we don't have a cure yet for HIV/AIDS or other really nasty diseases such as cancer. I call them nasty because they eat away at the body and can literally turn our loved ones into just skin and bones. We should really start researching cures rather then weapons of war.

It is easier said than done - this thing about clinging to,like old times. Your friend should know the repercussions of having to deal with this deadly disease. He should be mentally prepared for the fact that friends will desert him as they too have the fear that they will get it if one is not careful. He should involve himself with activities that he can possibly deal with rather than make a martyr of himself. Even under normal conditions friends desert each other. He can join a club where guidance is given on how to cope with these conditions. Please do not get upset if you too have that fear. After all we owe something to ourselves first. And we have a duty to take care of ourselves.

one provber said: a friend inneed is a friend indeed, in my opinion, you shall not dessert him. encourage him to lead a usual life which he lead before. on the other hand, hiv is a serious problem in the world and a dangerous ill, to be a long friend of each other, my suggestion is also you shall protect yourself, because you are not only reponsible for your friends, but also your families, do you agree with me?

Benig with your friend is the absolute best thing you can do for him. If his other "friends" left him then they arent really friends. You are a true friend and should just try your hardest to ease his suffering. Good luck and i hope you realize how great a friend you are.

In my opinion your a real mate sticking around for your friend when he needs you. I don't actually no anyone that has the disease but I'd say it's taking an emotional toll on you to. I'm not sure of your relationship with your friend i.e how close you were as friends but I'm positive it hurts to see your once lively friend fading away. Theres not much more you can do but be a true friend and see it through to the end when you day comes you can be sure your friend will remember you. I wish you the best of luck Tank and give your friend my best also, hope he doesn't suffer to much..

From what I've seen, sympathy just makes people cave in on themselves. What happened to your friend is horrible, but if I were in your position, I'd do my best to treat him as though he were perfectly healthy. If he wants to feel sorry for himself, make him snap out of it. He'll be much happier if he lives life not as an HIV patient, but as a perfectly normal person. Sure, he will never be able to live completely normally, but don't let him slip into self-pity.

Hi there Fulltank, I'm sorry for your friend. I think it is great that you are standing by him. Right now he needs his friends more than ever. The people that run from him and avoid him are just afraid. Read up on the disease. It is not contagious by simply being around him. It's too bad that his other friends abandoned him at this time. Just remember, it could happen to anyone.

hi full tank, To turn HIV in to AIDS it takes years..some cases well over 10 years and HIV doesnot spread by hugging, kissing, sharing food, toilets, towels etc so there is no problem for you to be his friend and this is the real time to show that you are his true friend. It is unfortunate he got this disease and he needs a good life style change as advised by his doctor and he can still live a normal life for few years and he needs moral support of all of his family and friend so give him that and donot abondon him.

Hi Fulltank, I'm sorry about what happened to your friend. The least you could is be there for him, you are one rare kind of friend that anyone will be lucky to have. "A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." That's what you are. He found a true friend in you. God bless.

Hi! Being a friend to him you should stay the same.Don't leave him.Defend him if it is being called upon. Let other people understand him through your unending friendship and care. People have all the mouths to talk about him. Give your friend a voice by your support and explanation for others to be warm hearted towards him.Having you still by his side would give him the boost to keep on fighting.The disease is just sexually transmitted therefore giving a person a hug or touching him to show your care wont infect anyone.It will just spread the virus of love and care.

Hi Fulltank: i admire the way you are, i mean, as you have notice there's still being persons that discriminate people with HIV even when we know now more abot this disease. Loyalty with your friends is very important and it seems to me that you felt the pain that might feel your friend after being alone and left by some of his friends. Keep being just as you are. Don't give up.

hey, my friend, don't worry, just do your utmost to help your friend, I think he will appreciate what you did these days and understand your situation. Frankly speaking, if i were in your shoes, I also must have been in a dilemma since HIV is a horrible and sensitive issue nowadays, there are always prejudice and discrimination towards HIV patients. But you are his good friend, he really need you in such a critical moment. I havn't encountered a friend with HIV until now. Refresh and good luck.