HIV-positive people deal with fears with a buddy

HIV positive: New project helps those affected
The diagnosis of HIV-positive is initially a shock for those affected. In a new project of the German AIDS aid people with HIV or AIDS should be helped to better deal with the new situation. The helping buddies have been living with HIV for years.

Many people do not know about their infection
The most affected group in new HIV infections in Germany is that of men who have sex with men. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) pointed this out several times in the past. Many women underestimate HIV, as recently warned. According to estimates of the RKI, at the end of 2013 about 14,000 people in this country were living with HIV without knowing it. Those diagnosed with HIV are initially in shock. A new project, reported by the news agency dpa, should help those affected.

Those affected are often in shock after HIV-positive diagnosis
One of these people is Carsten. When he learned that he was HIV-positive, he became afraid of having to die of AIDS in his mid-30s. For him, the diagnosis was a real shock. "I had the old pictures in my head that I quickly get patches on my face and die." Today, seven years later, the 41-year-old knows that his fears were unjustified. Of course, the Berliner now lives with HIV, taking medicines every day that prevent the growth of the pathogen in the body and thus prevent the virus triggering the immune disease AIDS. According to the information, he can no longer pass HIV on and has a similar life expectancy as HIV-negative people. As a buddy, he is involved in a new project of the German AIDS-Hilfe for people who feel like he was seven years ago.

"You can live well and long with HIV "
At that time, Carsten would have liked a friend who is also HIV-positive and with whom he could have talked about all the fears. However, his doctor was only able to relieve him of his medical fears and the Aidshilfe counselor had to maintain a professional distance. The self-help group that he visited, "to get to know other positive people and to see them up close: they are still alive", brought the reassurance: "With HIV, you can live well and for a long time." But after three visits, Carsten did not go back because he was the topics overwhelmed: "Many had only talked about sex - for me, sex was totally unthinkable in the situation at the time."

Buddies for newly infected
According to estimates by the RKI, 15,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS in Berlin. Every year, 550 people come with new infections. In April, the German AIDS Aid launched a new project in several major German cities called the "Springboard" to bridge the gap between professional counselors and self-help groups. Newcomers can look on the website www.sprungbrett.hiv a buddy - so a buddy - who accompanies them friendly on their first steps in a positive life. These buddies live with HIV themselves, are already in the management of their disease and were trained by the German AIDS-Hilfe, explained the project manager Heike Gronski: "The buddies listen, tell their own story, convey an authentic picture of life HIV and thus help those who are at the very beginning to develop a new perspective. "

Affected people often suffer from guilt
Those interested have the opportunity to contact a buddy, talk to him and meet him. "We want the newly infected to sit face-to-face with someone who naturally and confidently deals with their infection, thereby taking away the internalized stigma," says Ms. Gronski. "Many people with HIV suffer from guilt and blame themselves." Carsten is now one of four buddies in Berlin and 50 nationwide. "It is not the end of the world to get a positive result. I am a positive role model and a living proof that living without cuts in HIV - with work, friends, relationships and sexuality. "Carsten has also been reported by an HIV-positive woman:" It has blossomed on the phone, because she was so glad to finally have someone who has gone through the same as she and who understands them. "Meanwhile, he can even get something positive from his infection:" I have met many valuable people in the positive community and found friends, me otherwise would never have met. "(ad)

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