Testimonial of Charlie Johnson, HIV Positive Person Living With HIV

[Nkereal]

I think I have hiv and a few others.. went to the clinic and got tested but never went back cuz i don't wanna see results.

[AIDSvideos]

@Nkereal: Go get your results. They could save your life and that of others if you're positive. Go to AIDSvideos site and click "Symptoms." Watch our vids: "Top Ten Reasons to Get Tested for HIV" and "Is HIV a Death Sentence?" Get your results. Knowledge is power. If you're HIV+ you can find out if you need treatment now that could save your life and can take steps to protect others. If you're HIV- you'll be motivated to avoid contracting HIV. Please get your results!

[souljaboy0071]

hey when you said flu like symptoms what were you experiencing would be a great help! to get a reply thanks

[AIDSvideos]

@souljaboy0071: This is Eric; I'm not a doctor. Knowing what symptoms Charlie happened to experience during his own primary HIV infection would not help you at all because you could have different symptoms or no symptoms at all. Watch our video "Did I Just Contract HIV? Symptoms of HIV Infection" for more details. Get tested for HIV and follow your doctor's instructions.

[truth867]

Hopefully thoes that were negligent regarding their Most merciful lord Allah will think about the after life, search for the truth, dont worry every soul has a given date, if u have it please dont be evil and spread it may Allah open your hearts ameen

[im0new0here]

It's crazy how man can spend all this money on wars, but won't on studies to find cures for a disease that has been known about for decades. But they can develope drugs that will help you to live longer, but at a major cost. God is the way, and he is the cure. Search for a answer in him and trust me he will show you. HIV is not a death sentence, the only thing it does is keep you from having sex, but it opens your eyes to people who really care and love you. God is here, just let him in..

[kmarshstpete]

Glad I am not the only person who was told year after year . Oh there is a viral infection going around. It took an hospital stay to eventually find the true cause.

[orlandobabe]

Charlie take care of yourself and stay strong, God bless you. Consider yourself watched by angels.

[sourmanofcoal]

LOL, its funny how people feel that having hiv is THE END OF THE WORLD hahhaa, yeh its fucken bad you BET!, but everybody dies, and death is imminent. Whether you die as a dried out prune or a bloated pile of lard, it wont matter. Nothing Matters :) so enjoy your life while you can, how ever that life is.

[Inimicu]

Definitely found the loophole through natural selection.

I am, by no means, someone who views HIV as a stigmatized negative thing. It is not the HIV that I judge Mr. Johnson for. It's his drug use. Though he may have reconciled it by really helping in Africa, which is truly great, I still have trouble really appreciating the earlier part of his life and in some ways can't believe he was allowed to be alive, especially past the part where he was getting better and injected speed.

[marichol7]

WOW i really admire you charlie god bless you. Just know you have to give your life to god you will have a better out look on life.

[stacier333]

I really agree with you! i would say the same thing, but i don't want to say it twice!

[Othellolover]

i bet, the worst thing about being an HIV+ is not the desease alone, but its when you have to tell someone, the you are an HIV+. to you, Mr. Charlie Johnson, I admire you for doing this. thank you. a sincere thanx from a teanager. ALLAH bless you!

[burntflybog]

my aunt had a blood transfusion in the 80s, and she died 5 years ago, with three young children left motherless. For everyone that we cast aside for doing something "wrong" to get HIV, we let people like my aunt get sick and die. Oh, and to the denialits, she didn't have a staph infection, never used drugs, was physically fit, and got all of the vitamins and minerals she needed from her abundant back yard garden and local farmers market. and no, she never took ARVs.

[jacko39]

Bless you.

[bed8head]

i think he is brilliant and lovely to help others

[truexromancex]

what a rough time that'd have been. I'd have fuckin killed myself if that ever happened.

[AIDSvideos]

If you ever contract HIV, don't kill yourself. See our videos "Is HIV a Death Sentence?" and "'If I'm HIV Positive, I'm Going to Commit Suicide!' (Don't)"

[VictoriaChase]

@AIDSvideos Hi, although this is two years ago I just have to say...I think Suicide is best for some. Some people can't handle it. You can say watch this video and do this because of that. I've been watching alot of videos on HIV. I'm Knowledgeable on it. There is a doccumentary on youtube called "The Gift" where actual gay men just showed that eve if you follow all the instructions and took every pill your life can be miserable.

[VictoriaChase]

@AIDSvideos In addition to what i also said, i watched a video about the Documentary The Gift, and the act "Bug chasing" is also in existent because of the "it is not the end of the world, if you catch HIV". How so? People are starting to believe HIV is like diabetes, you take a few pills and it is okay. Then they continue risky behavior and take all the pills and realize it isnt that simple. I've read articles on this. So i'm with true. if i get hiv id rather die asap.

[AIDSvideos]

@VictoriaChase: (1) I agree with you that people are getting complacent about HIV because they (wrongly) believe that with ARVs, HIV is "no problem." As anyone who's HIV+ will tell you, they'd prefer not to have HIV and would prefer not to have to take the pills and deal with the side effects. (2) Life is underrated and death is overrated. Suicide is always the worst option. Among other things, it eliminates all other options. Look, just avoid contracting HIV and keep the question moot!

[1nalawest]

wow that was deep and strong of u. i was touched...

[Msmochachina]

You r a brave man

[Respectn2009]

We need more men like you to speak the truth. I wish you the best future. You have already been blessed by god. I am sure that you will continue to be blessed, because you have made me think about self worth.

[frog996]

god bless you!

Thank you for this video.

Best of luck.

[JO3HUNT79]

Such honest guy,sure u have a courage to share with us.

"Never gve up never surrender"

I've lost a brother and a friend,and its realy hurt when someone close to u has gone.

[2105BOOBIE]

WOW Charlie, thanks for being open and ownest with us. GOD BLESS YOU!

[ericjaynelson]

Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not real; it is real and it still happens today! This young man is dying; if he goes to a church and seeks the infilling of the Holy Ghost why would that offend you? What if what I'm saying is the truth? U would have him miss out on God's mercy just because it doesn't fit your viewpoint? The experience I'm referring to is real!!! It's found in Acts the 2nd chapter of your Bible.

[AIDSvideos]

It does not offend me in the slightest when people explore or pursue their own religious beliefs. What offends me is when you make a specific promise that "if you were to get filled with the Holy Ghost you would be healed of this dreaded disease immediately." There is no documented case of any proven HIV+ person being cured of HIV anywhere in the world by any means, Holy Ghost or otherwise. Therefore you have no right to make that claim or promise. Promise eternal life, not quick fix cures.

[ericjaynelson]

Again, I see your point but just because there is no documentation doesn't make it untrue. He has nothing at all to lose except a little bit of time if I am not telling him the truth. We all know that he is going to die regardless of how much medical treatment he receives. I don't want him to lose his soul, nor do I want him to die physically. Just because you don't personally believe it doesn't mean it's not true. I stand by by original comments. He has nothing to lose by seeking God's grace!

[ericjaynelson]

I understand your skeptisim, but this guy is dying; I told him to get the Holy Ghost; that doesnot denote that he needs to quit taking his medication, nor did I say any church group could heal him nor did I claim any specific healing ability; I believe in healing prayer, but what I told him to do was to go to a denomination where I know their standard belief is in receiving the Holy Ghost; I received this gift; the supernatural infilling of the Holy Ghost is real and it will set him free!

[AIDSvideos]

Your exact words were "if you were to get filled with the Holy Ghost you would be healed of this dreaded disease immediately .... Look for an apostolic Pentecostal church in your area that believes in the supernatural infilling of the Holy Ghost. Follow the mandates of Acts 2:38 in your bible and you will be healed! I promise!" That's a specific promise of healing of his specific disease, HIV/AIDS, through religious faith healing. I'm a Christian myself but I see no evidence this happens today.

[ericjaynelson]

Hey brother; I know this may sound strange but if you were to get filled with the Holy Ghost you would be healed of this dreaded disease immediately; God loves you more than you could ever love yourself, and your past does not matter. Look for an apostolic Pentecostal church in your area that believes in the supernatural infilling of the Holy Ghost. Follow the mandates of Acts 2:38 in your bible and you will be healed! I promise!

[AIDSvideos]

Nonsense. There is no evidence that any church, religion, pastor, faith healer or anyone else anywhere in the world is able to or has cured HIV/AIDS. Claims to the contrary are fraud. You're entitled to your own religious beliefs, but do not claim an ability to cure specific diseases or conditions that you do not have. People might naively believe you, stop treatment, and die of HIV as a result. I believe that God loves us, but he's not currently dispensing cures for HIV through faith.

[morrisgcat]

Nonsense? So you're going to take the advice from the same people who created the virus, scientists? You are entitled to your opinion so here is mine:

You would have never caught HIV in the first place if he had a relationship with GOD because you would have led a better lifestyle.

[ceddagr8]

Thats is not fair to say when we've all have fallen short of His Glory! We can't afford to be self righteous! If you are indeed with GOD, then where is the fruit of love?

[stealer78]

Charlie, Thanks a lot for sharing the video.

Gods always gona be with you.

[msgrinch61]

Charlie,

Thank you for being so courageous in sharing your story. This will help many people.

Keep living life to the fullest.

Take Care

[endlessness80]

Thank you Charlie. You are truely inspirational. Please continue to shine your liht for the rest of the world to see.

Alan Norman

[y0ungPh03n1x]

brave

[pabertin]

thank you for sharing your story. i appreciate it very much.

[GodlessMartyr666]

wait wait wait ... Swollen lymph? I got that... Weak all the time/ skinny / losing weight ? i got that..... SONOFABITCH dont fuckin scare me man. I need to go get tested rofl

[gele4fucke]

this video has made me realise how lucky i am!! from now on i wont take anything 4 granted...thanks

[LowcountryAIDS]

Charlie, thank you for taking the time to give a real life description of what you experienced! We need more people like you

[ginosway]

I hope God make you feel better & better every day

[adiazrivera]

In August of 2007 a researcher from Boston published a paper stating that alcohol consumption in HIV positive patients, lowers the CD4 cell count in blood.

[AIDSvideos]

Could you provide the reference please? (author, title, journal, date) Sounds like that paper would be worth taking a look at.

[princeklien]

i am seeking for some help where I could get free medicines for HIV+. I am sorry to tell I dont have penny to buy some. I will to hear or receive your advice.

[AIDSvideos]

Without wanting to induce you to disclose any information you're not comfortable disclosing, what country do you live in? Many countries have programs that provide free or low-cost access to HIV medications, but which program you're eligible for depends on where you live. You can send me a private message if you prefer.

[MadeMenL7L7]

Hey charlie did you say you deteriorated for 7 years or so before you had any medication?

[synthescribe]

it doesnt matter if ur reactive or not as long as u know ur role as a person.

[Iwanttobefreetobeme]

do you ever get past the depression i cant

[ziki1]

after been positeve for aver 20 years like me and undetectable, I don't mind being ask how I got it. If anyone wants to know just ask me my name is Ricky.

[detroitbuzz]

ok how?

[synthescribe]

ricky are u on antiviral? I am reactive of hiv as well. About to undergo Anti viral

[BrianShieh]

how are you HIV positive and still undetectable???

[NDrLoR]

All the best to you, Charlie! Not only are you turning your life around with God's help, you're helping other people too! Here's wishing you many more years of good health and happiness!

[Sergionewyork]

Gracias!

[Vkwosa]

Your are a brave human being.....and your are a still a beautiful human and have a long life to live. if you need to talk anytime please contact me. -v

[kogastealth]

I am infected and have been living with this hiv for proly bout a year and a half... I have seeked no treatment for fear of isolation from my family and friends... My girl brought the shit to me, thats how I got it. The "cure" Is to wear protecion dude. Im 21, white male from fl named Frederick Titus. Please let my mistake save your life. WEAR A CONDOM.

[exclamation3mark]

Get help. this stuff has a window beyond which drugs are just trying but you're gone. Dont lket it slide, get tested quarterly, get help and live a full life

[AIDSvideos]

Yes, exclamation3mark is right. It's very important that you see a doctor, get tested for your viral load regularly, and follow the doctor's instructions. If you stay on top of your viral load, you can keep HIV under control. Don't let HIV+ turn into clinical AIDS--stay ahead of the virus!!!

[anavywife28]

his story is so similar to my cousins who died 2 years ago, im sorry dude...

[allenanb]

thank you for making this

[WALAIy]

Hello

[WALAIy]

i think

[GameP0wnage]

I think you are a very strong person

Respect!

[DollyPorterfan]

Thank you Charlie for sharing this video. I learned a lot. I also admire your honesty concerning your detox. This video is a great inspiration and tool for those who have hit bottom and can know that there is still hope for them.

[charliemanner]

Pls watch my video "Charlie Manner on Aids in South Africa". I made it in response to an insane suggestion that people's satus' be made known public in order to protect others. I disagreed and was vilified for standing up for the right to privacy. I'd like ur comment on this one please.

[AIDSvideos]

If you publicize the HIV status of people without their consent, then people will decide not to be tested at all due to fear of having their status made publicly known if they turn out to be HIV+. When HIV+ people don't know their status, they're more likely to have unprotected sex, which will lead to more spread. So mandatory public disclosure of individuals' HIV status would backfire and is not the answer. People requiring their partners to get tested, disclose, and use protection will help.

[kriptonis]

What is the problem with asking how he contracted HIV??A question does not harm anyone..you make it look like it was some kind of sin!We all know how one can contract HIV!And if he was a bad person before his experience (and he was), he accepted it by now, and doesn't have a problem sharing it. The proof of that is this video. So if he is not ashamed, why are you???

[AIDSvideos]

How a person contracted HIV is their private medical history and none of your or my business. I'm a strong believer in protecting the medical privacy of all and that includes HIV+ people. Asserting individual medical privacy rights on all issues and discouraging people from asking inappropriate private medical questions defends personal privacy and does not increase stigma. Do you ask people with hepatitis B how they contracted it? women with cervical cancer whether they had many partners?

[AIDSvideos]

There are multiple ways a person can contract HIV. You have no way to know which way a person contracted it. And who are you to label someone else a "bad person?" That's a global judgement about an entire human being. I oppose injection drug use for example but I wouldn't label someone a "bad person" because of IDU. I'd say they're taking a risk, breaking the law, should seek medical help, and probably enter a treatment program.

[kriptonis]

I know 2 persons with HIV, and yes a aske them how they go it, not to judge them or anything, but to get to know a reality that I didn't knew. Sorry but your view is just different from mine.

If someone exposes himself to public he must be willing to answer questions. Or you just want to show the bright side of the story?

Also, General Law dictates what a bad individual is, if someone breaks the law, is considered a criminal. A BAD person.

[AIDSvideos]

I you know someone personally and they are OK with your asking them how they contracted HIV, obviously that's fine. But people who disclose their HIV+ status publicly are under no obligation to share their entire personal or medical history with the world. They retain a right to personal and medical privacy. It's up to them how much they wish to voluntarily sacrifice that right to educate the public.

[MeredithP60]

What a powerful share. Thank you, Charlie. A thousand blessings on you.

[666lordvasco]

god bless you charlie, i wish i had a 100th of the courage you have,You are an insiration to many jordan, scotland

[werde1978]

Thank you for sharing this usuful video.

Be strong guy. As you said: it's (HIV) just part of your life, not the end of it.

[gordiepierce]

Charlie , I'am still here , Ive had hiv for atleast 20 years , maybe 22 And am a recovering Cyrstal Meth addict , I'am a come back kid , and so u appear to be as well , Don't give up ! love gordie

[ATLNice]

Mr Charlie Johnson

Bless your heart for sharing and i pray that you continue to have a long and healthy life AIDSvideos thank you

[emosareghey]

god bless you indeed

[archgin74]

God Bless You. No words can convey my feelings with regards to what are you going through.

[peighty2]

these people are infected with a virus they are still human and they are not being punished i think in time people will realize that we are all susceptible and make wrong decisions it can easily be you in time we will accept this disease as we do other illnesses we will conquer this disease.

[angelofthesea]

you seen hiv fact or fraud? watch it on the internet. watch out for mycoplasma, that can cause many symptoms.

[AIDSvideos]

NIAID: "[T]he specific immunologic profile that typifies AIDS--a progressive reduction of CD4+ T cells resulting in persistent CD4+ T lymphocytopenia and profound deficits in cellular immunity--is extraordinarily rare in the absence of HIV infection or other known causes of immunosuppression." [Fauci AS, "CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia without HIV infection ..." N Engl J Med 1993;328(6):429-31. Laurence J, "T-cell subsets in health, infectious disease ..." Ann Intern Med 1993;119(1):55-62.]

[akon06konvicted]

Charlie, God Bless You, I Pray For You.

[shannon718]

What a brave, beautiful human being. Thank you for sharing your story. To the rest of you leaving comments asking ' him' -Charlie, about how he contracted HIV- shame on you! Very tacky, and soooo not the point. And also to the hypochondriacs in here- take your nonsense someplace else. This isn't the place.

[AIDSvideos]

I agree he's a beautiful human being and like you thank him for sharing. I also agree we shouldn't pry for personal medical details that are none of our business. However, let's not discourage people from asking honest questions or from getting tested. Let's let a medical doctor decide after an evaluation what's hypochondria and what might be a disease symptom.

[acelesson]

You know Ive been sick for a month now but its finally going away. I had the same symptoms as him (No energy, lymph nodes, cold, etc.) However my white blood cell count was at a 4.5...what do you guys think?

[AIDSvideos]

I am not a medical doctor and cannot interpret your symptoms for you. However I would strongly, strongly urge you to make an immediate appointment with a medical doctor and discuss your symptoms and personal health and sexual history. CDC now recommends that all adults be screened for HIV when they visit the doctor (regardless of reason) so get tested for HIV during the visit, regardless of whether your symptoms may be related to HIV.

[isabellayessi]

I Have a friend that had the same flu systoms..She is 22 and NOW HAD AIDS.Her family disowned her and her boyfriend had it and did not tell her.I don't talk to her anymore.For the simple fact that she has left and disappeared I'm affraid she is doin drugs.I just hope and pray you get tested and be strong and face the music.'

good luck.

[ym4183]

Very inspirational and moving. I admire this man very much for his strong will... definitely a great and powerful insight on something Id just never seen before. *Applause*

[HUMP8116]

You are awesome...God bless you.

[swatdrizzt]

theres just something about reverse transcritpase and viral biology that fasinates the hell outta me

[longview13082]

After listening to all my lectures on HIV/AIDS for quite some years now you forget about the people who actually have to live with such a disease. I am so glad to see there are humane people in this world. I'm not a religous man but god bless you all and god bless all the sufferers of HIV/AIDS. Lastly please express the true FACTS behind HIV/AIDS and let us rid this world of such horrible insensitivities towards the virus and progressive disease. :)

[longview13082]

After reading some of the comments on "introduction to Hiv/Aids" I found myself shouting at my monitor at the complete and utter horrid things people wrote. Then thankfully i found this video and these comments, it really makes me happy to see such a loving group of responses to this video.

[eastmeadow1]

I just wanna say your a very brave, beautiful, man that probably have given hope to many people suffering with this terrible disease- GOD BLESS YOU and THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY:)

[stickyhandskevin]

he mentioned his lympnode swelled...whats a lympe node?

[AIDSvideos]

Go to wikipedia and search for "lymph node". They are small organs (balls of tissue) in various places around the body such as the sides of the neck. They may increase in size when the body is fighting off an infection because they play a role in the immune system.

[Belger143]

I am glad you are speaking out. I did not know about this "AIDSvideos" until after starting my own "ask an HIV=/AINDS (PWA) anything page. I did not do drugs, or drink, although I can Totaly Understand a pwa going that direction Very easily. Thank you! I am a 20+ servivor, and Think I went in and out of depression for years. I met a wonderful man, Knowing Dr.s said I had "less then 2 yrs" and we have now been married 10 yrs!

[AIDSvideos]

Magic Johnson appears to be still physically healthy, but he remains HIV positive. He's an example of someone who has been HIV positive for a long time without (as far as we know) progressing to clinical AIDS.

[littpleapple]

You made me cry - all the best of luck to you!

[zweibrucken82]

GOD BLESS YOU !

[rosko92]

I dont know what to say honestly. I am amazed at your bravery and courage. HIV is a scourge upon our world and the sooner we can eradicate it the better. This can only be acheived through raising awareness and advances in medical science. You, with your courage, are taking one small step to acheiving this goal. I wish you all the best.

[AIDSvideos]

Zabor - It's really none of our business how a person contracted HIV. Of course he still has the virus--there's no cure once you're HIV positive. Charlie only traveled to South Africa, gathered leftover HIV medications for distribution, and started his charitable work after he got off drugs.

[7beers]

It's most definitely our business how he got it. It is a perfectly legitimate and relevant question to ask. It is very important to know how hiv/aids is acquired -- how else can we know what behaviors to avoid? Your attempted censorship ill behooves the interest of spreading awareness of aids. For someone who is posting a video to spread the message of aids, you are attempting to stifle discussion of one of the most crucial aspects of it -- how it is contracted. Shame on you.

[AIDSvideos]

No. The fact that a person is HIV+ and/or is engaging in HIV/AIDS prevention education does not entitle you to know their personal medical and/or sexual history. There are MANY other, better ways to know what behaviors to avoid than asking HIV+ people how they contracted HIV--like studying the scientific findings about the ways HIV is transmitted! I'm not stifling discussion; I'm speaking out for the medical privacy rights of all people--including HIV+ ones and HIV prevention educators.

[7beers]

Agreed, studying scientific findings is great, but if you are honest, you must admit that 1. there are young many people out there who are not so intellectually curious; and 2. the impression young people get from scientific studies pales in comparison to hearing a personal story. And how can you deny that you are stifling discussion? You are discouraging people from asking the question. People have every right to ask the question. Of course, it's the right of the patient to decline to answer.

[suqone]

haha you think he is obligated to give you his life details? he didn't even have to post this video at all and whatever information he offers, consider it a gift from him to you rather than ostracize him for what he leaves out. show some fucking respect, asshole.

[CaesarAugustus1987]

It's very sad that today people must be afraid of having sex with their partners. Having sex should be the most relaxing moment of all but since this virus came out many people (like me) feel very uneasy about having sex with new partners. I honestly don't even trust condom too much. HIV looks like something created by somebody who purposefully wanted to prevent people from having sex. I know it's not like that but it really looks like it is.

[zabor1781]

Do you still have the virus are you cured how is it affecting you now? how did you get hiv?

[zabor1781]

where did u get all this money for drugs to travel and provide for the poor when you stated earlier that you were so depressed and doing high all the time.. did you have time to work ?