For a long time, Alijon believed nothing was wrong. He felt healthy, energetic, and full of plans. Like many young people, he was focused on building his future — finishing his studies, working, playing sports, and dreaming of starting a family. HIV was something distant, something he had only heard about on television, something that seemed unrelated to his own life. Until reality became impossible to ignore.
This story was made within the project “Empowering Voices for Inclusive Development: Strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Uzbekistan, focusing on women and youth”, financially supported by European Union.
My name is Alijon (name changed). I am 26 years old. I am living with HIV. I learned about my diagnosis seven years ago during a medical examination. At that time, doctors told me I needed to visit the AIDS center. I did not believe them. I had heard about HIV before, but I never thought it could happen to me. There were no drugs in my life. I had relationships, but my partners were healthy. I convinced myself that the doctors had made a mistake. I felt fine. Nothing hurt. Nothing worried me. So I decided not to go anywhere.
Several years passed. I lived what I believed was a normal life. I completed my education, started working, stayed active, and continued making plans. But gradually, things began to change. I became tired more often. I felt weak. I started getting sick more frequently. At first, I explained everything away. Stress. Fatigue. Lack of sleep. Vitamins. I thought I just needed rest. But instead of getting better, my condition worsened.
Eventually, my sister insisted that I see a doctor. After blood tests, I was once again told to visit the AIDS center. This time, the examination showed that my immune system was already significantly weakened. The doctors explained that I needed to begin treatment urgently. I struggled to accept this. Even after being prescribed medication, I did not take it consistently. I skipped doses and eventually stopped altogether. Deep down, I still could not fully accept my diagnosis. I kept hoping everything would somehow resolve itself. But my health continued to deteriorate.
Once again, my sister brought me back to the center. This time, the doctor spoke very directly. She explained that without proper treatment, the consequences could be extremely serious. Soon after, I was hospitalized. It was there, in the hospital, that I truly became afraid for my life. For the first time, I understood that I could no longer deceive myself. During my stay, I met another person living with HIV. He had been taking his treatment regularly. We spoke often, and his openness and support helped me in ways I cannot fully describe.
Today, I take my medication every day without missing a dose. I feel much better. I understand that recovery takes time, but I have learned something deeply important: treatment is not simply medication — it is a chance to live. I now know that if I had started therapy immediately after my diagnosis, I could have avoided many difficult moments and restored my health much sooner. But instead of dwelling on regret, I focus on moving forward. I visit a psychologist and continue working on accepting my condition without blaming myself. Today, I am certain: treatment is not a burden — it is an opportunity. An opportunity to live a long, full, and meaningful life.
I believe my immune system will grow stronger. I believe I will control the virus. Most importantly, I believe I will live.
This article has been produced within the framework of the EU-funded project Empowering Voices for Inclusive Development. The contents are the sole responsibility of Nurbonu and AFEW International and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
