'Stigma around HIV still exists – even among doctors and nurses – and there remains a lot of ignorance'

After being diagnosed with HIV in 2007, Paulo Machado thought he was going to die. He tells Lucy John about his experience since then

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PAULO MACHADO was told he had HIV in 2007 and like many at the time he feared it was a death sentence.

But fast forward 18 years and not only is he managing the condition with ease, he is also living life to its fullest.

"I'm positive about being positive," said the 55-year-old, who lives in the Splott area of Cardiff.

"I have been healthy and strong for so long that HIV isn’t a big part of my life. You can live successfully with it - and it doesn’t define you."

Paulo admitted it was a "complete shock" when he was first diagnosed with HIV during his time living in London with his former partner.

"I thought I was going to die," he said. "I admit I didn’t know much about HIV, and I'd heard about people not surviving it. My partner was tested too and, luckily, he was negative.

Despite being referred to a HIV support group and given plenty of information from healthcare professionals, one thing that stuck out to Paulo at the time was a small and perhaps misjudged piece of advice from one of his nurses in London.

"She told me to be careful about who I told about my HIV as I could never take it back," he explained.

"However, a few days or weeks after my diagnosis, once I was settled, I decided to tell some close friends.