New research from HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust has revealed that too many people don’t know the facts about HIV and the huge medical progress that’s been made. For example, just 29% of people know that someone living with HIV and on effective treatment can’t pass it on to their partners.

The charity also found that only half of respondents know that HIV positive people can have HIV negative children thanks to simple interventions before birth.

The research also showed that too many people think HIV limits what you can do as a job. It found just 4 in 10 people think you can be a doctor or nurse if you’re HIV positive – when the reality is that HIV doesn’t stop you from doing either of these jobs. Similarly, only 33% of people correctly said you can be HIV positive and a dentist.

That’s why the charity has launched a new campaign to show that HIV doesn’t stop you fulfilling your dreams thanks to all the medical progress made that means you will live a long, healthy life thanks to treatment. The charity believes this is the best way to tackle the stigma surrounding the virus and get more people taking a quick, easy and free HIV test.

The ground breaking new campaign features HIV positive people who achieved their goals after their diagnosis, including having children, getting married and having successful careers as presenters, nurses, circus performers and designers. They are all proud to be featured on billboards and buses to show life after a HIV diagnosis.

LeaSuwanna is one of the people in the campaign. She was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 when pregnant with her second child, with the diagnosis coming as part of her routine prenatal checks. Her child is HIV negative and grown up. While LeaSuwanna is now studying to become a nurse. She wants people to know the realities of HIV and that it doesn’t have to stop you doing what you want to do.

 “I am really proud of myself,” says LeaSuwanna. “I have achieved so many things. I have raised two children who are accomplishing so much. One is at university, and my second one is on her way to going to university. I’m currently going to university to study to be a nurse and that’s just one of the achievements.

“When you find out you have HIV, you have to take a deep breath and try not to think about what the next steps are going to be other than: am I healthy, am I happy and can I do this. If you can’t answer those questions yes, yes and yes then get support. And there’s loads out there – like Terrence Higgins Trust.”

Because LeaSuwanna knows her HIV status she takes her medication every day, which supresses the virus and keeps her well. It also means she can’t pass it on to her HIV negative partner. 

“There is not a valid reason why someone living with HIV shouldn’t be able to work as a nurse,” explains LeaSuwanna who is currently training and enjoying her work in hospital.

“As a healthcare professional, I think it’s really important for us to know and be knowledgeable about the risk factors of someone living with HIV. Including knowing that a patient that is on medication and taking them as prescribed can’t pass it on. It empowers you and empowers that person to know that they’re not a threat.”

 She proudly says: “I’m undetectable. I can’t pass it on – there is no question mark in that sentence.”

To find out more about LeaSuwanna’s story and the facts about HIV, visit the Life Really Changed pages on the Terrence Higgins Trust’s website. Because the message is clear: HIV has changed and it doesn’t have to stand in the way of anything you want to do.