I couldn't understand what was happening

In October 2023, Cherry (not her real name) found herself suddenly losing a lot of weight.

- Jessica Novia

Within a month, she became a gaunt 55kg from her usual, slightly plump 68kg. She also started shedding hair in clumps.

"I was thinking: 'What the hell is it? Old age or what?' I couldn't understand what was happening. I was eating normally," says the manager, who is in her early 50s.

She declined to disclose what industry she is in.

She went to see a doctor, did a full medical check-up, had scans from head to toe and even saw a specialist. Nobody could tell her what was wrong with her.

At a doctor's suggestion, she went for an anonymous HIV test.

She was shocked when the results came back positive. Her last relationship, which lasted six months, had ended more than 10 years ago.

"I didn't know he was HIV positive, I also did not check. I haven't had sex with anyone since then," Cherry says.

The virus had remained undetected even though she went for regular health check-ups.