I don't remember the day I got exposed or infected but I do remember the day of my diagnosis August 23 2006, I freaked out, my bff was with me at the time and he started crying fearing for my life, I was quiet the entire time. Thankfully I had a good friend who was also living with HIV and he pushed me to keep on living my life and keep moving forward, I never celebrate that day for any reason, its just a bitter day that I live... so by the end of this month it will be my 14th year anniversary and I never felt more alive!

I didnt answer your question. Since its my Birthday i celebrate it too n how inspite of it i got my JD pass the bar on first try ,got a job ,too a leave ,trained as a Peer ,met my Bae ,went back to work. Hiv is there for 8 yrs undectable -hopefully i will share many more birthdays with it

I remember when I got my positive test result. 2 days before my 40th birthday. July 1st, 2003. I was lucky, the lady from the health department became my biggest ally and friend. She helped me stay clean through it (I had started the month before in my path to soberity) she told me I could help many women who could be at risk and not know it if I told my story so I went out and told my story even on the news. Made dating a bit hard lol.

I was really sick for a while but during that time I was really heavy into drugs so I associated it with that. I was working up until Thursday, September 21 when my boss told me to take time off to get better.
That night I was home and everything started crashing. I was admitted to the hospital on Friday, September 22, and given my diagnosis on Tuesday, September 26... That's the day I celebrate.
I was 110lbs with a T-Cell of 108.
I celebrate the day as a rebirth. I was given yet another chance to make a change in my life.
In 2015 I celebrated with a quinceañera cake.

Negative January 1983. Positive January 1984. Blood test for both in a CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) study in SF.