Angelle De Leon
A netizen shared on social media an “anniversary post” for his first year of living with human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.
A young man with the Twitter handle @Bloodvenom recently tweeted that “by January 28, 2020, I’m celebrating my 1st year as PLHIV.”
PLHIV means “people living with HIV.”
Bloodvenom said he was not ashamed to disclose his HIV positive status to give a face to one of the most stigmatized infectious diseases in the country.
“I am not afraid of saying that I am living with HIV 💛 because I want to give a face to a health condition that has been termed a ‘death sentence.’ 💪 And I will not stop until the stigma ends.🤞🏻💁🏻♂️,” he said.
https://twitter.com/Bloodvenom_/status/1219977646643113985?s=19
Netizens immediately aired their reactions.
Apart from sympathizing, many netizens have also expressed admiration for Bloodvenom.
Here’s what they have to say:
“You’re so brave! I envy you! Much love!”
You're so brave! I envy you! Much love!
— Chinito Arvie (@ArvieChinito) January 22, 2020
“Keep on fighting! Always remember there’s a lot of things to be thankful for. So proud of you even if we don’t know each other. God bless!”
Keep on fighting! Always remember there's a lot of things to be thankful for. So proud of you even if we don't know each other. Godbless!
— Zhaviandaya (@zhaviandaya) January 22, 2020
“Much admiration for you.”
Much admiration for you
— Melvin L dela Paz (@melvsdlp) January 22, 2020
“HUGS PRAY AND LABAN LANG AH.”
HUGS PRAY AND LABAN LANG AH
— cutieguy23 (@cutieguy23) January 22, 2020
HIV kills or damages the body’s immune system cells.
At present, there is no cure for HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV.
But many different drugs are now available to control the virus.
