"Living Positively" means to

1. Maintain a positive attitude towards yourself and others.

2. Don’t blame others

3. Do not feel guilty or ashamed.

4. Share your diagnosis with a few significant people.

5. Fellow medical advice; seek medical care quickly when attacked by infections.

6. Take medicines regularly as prescribed.

7. Eat plenty of food which is rich in proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates.

8. Get enough sleep and do not get over tired.

9. Do not smoke or drink alcohol which further lowers the body’s resistance to disease.

10. Take enough exercise to keep fit (not strenuous exercise).

11. Continue to work if possible.

12. Occupy yourself with non-stressful activities such as making crafts.

13. Accept both physical and emotional affection.

14. Socialize with your family and friends.

15. Seek counseling to maintain a positive attitude and talk about your feelings, whether angry, sad, blaming or hopeful.

16. Always use a condom during sex. Even if both partners know they are HIV-positive, using a condom prevents pregnancy and avoids passing on other Sexually Transmitted diseases, which would further lower immunity to disease.

17. Avoid pregnancy. It might lower the body’s immunity and hasten the onset of AIDS in an HIV positive woman. (Note: This advice was given before the onset of ARVs and PMTCT)