[ad_1]

A 19-year-old who was recently diagnosed with HIV has revealed how the disease has transformed his life through candid videos that follow him from the day he was tested to the day he began medication. 

Zachary Willmore, from Missouri, has been going viral on TikTok for his daily vlogs that began the day he received an HIV-positive diagnosis. 

The San Diego State University student felt like it was the ‘end of the world’ when he saw the positive test result, but now he is on a mission to end the stigma surrounding the illness. 

On the video-sharing platform, the teen revealed that he felt ‘gross’ when he first contracted the disease, but after beginning medication, he has developed a sense of freedom by sharing his journey publicly. 

Zachary Willmore, from Missouri, has been going viral on TikTok for his daily vlogs that began the day he received an HIV-positive diagnosis

Zachary Willmore, from Missouri, has been going viral on TikTok for his daily vlogs that began the day he received an HIV-positive diagnosis

The 19-year-old who was recently diagnosed with HIV has revealed how the disease has transformed his life through candid videos

The 19-year-old who was recently diagnosed with HIV has revealed how the disease has transformed his life through candid videos

The San Diego State University student felt like it was the 'end of the world' when he saw the positive test result, but now he is on a mission to end the stigma surrounding the illness

The San Diego State University student felt like it was the ‘end of the world’ when he saw the positive test result, but now he is on a mission to end the stigma surrounding the illness

Zachary’s first video was posted on February 17. Although he recorded his videos as he was going through day-to-day life with disease, he didn’t begin posting until one week after he ‘found out.’ 

He captioned his very first video on the topic: ‘It’s Friday, Feb. 17. I’m 19 years old. And yesterday, I found out that I got diagnosed with HIV.’ 

The incurable disease Zachary will live with for the rest of his life: What is HIV and how is it managed?

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks your immune system and interferes with your body’s ability to fight off other infections and diseases. 
  • It can be spread through infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Currently, there is no cure for the disease, however there are medications that can help those with HIV control and prevent the progression. 
  • If unmedicated, HIV can lead to AIDS, a chronic and potentially life-threatening condition, in eight to 10 weeks. 
  • Some people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms two to four weeks after getting the virus. 
  • Symptoms of HIV include fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. 
  • Approximately 1.2 million people in the country have HIV.
  • About 13 percent of them don’t know it and need to be tested.

In the first clip, the 19-year-old describes the shattering feeling of getting a positive test result back. 

‘I just feel, honestly so gross. I wish I could take, like, a big needle and drain all the blood out my body now.

‘People keep telling me that I’m gonna get through this. This honestly feels like the end of the world to me. All I can think about is house diseases forever.

‘I’m never gonna be able to get rid of it. I just feel drained, emotionally, physically. 

‘Like, I was told people with HIV can live up to 70, but I don’t even wanna live past 20,’ he said. 

He explained that he had spent the last ’12 hours’ crying and then realized his tears ‘change anything.’ 

Upon learning his result, the San Diego State University student flew back home to Missouri to spend time with his loved ones, telling his peers that he was returning home to ‘mourn the death’ of his cat. 

In his second video, Zachary revealed his friends convinced him to ‘go out,’ adding that he had a lot of fun and realized his life wasn’t over. 

‘I can still do all my daily things,’ he said. 

Then, the teen revealed how his friends took the news. He explained that he had told a few close friends he was returning to Missouri because of medical reasons, so many of his pals thought he ‘was going to die.’ 

‘When I told my friends that I had a disease and I was coming home for something medical, they all assumed I was terminally ill. 

‘So, when I told them I had HIV, they were honestly relieved,’ he explained. 

He revealed that both his friends and parents have been extremly supportive.  

He ended the video by noting that he is ‘happy’ and is going to continue to create content and ‘spread joy.’ 

He revealed that both his friends and parents have been extremly supportive

He revealed that both his friends and parents have been extremly supportive

Zachary's first video was posted on February 17. Although he recorded his videos as he was going through day-to-day life with disease, he didn't begin posting until one week later

Zachary’s first video was posted on February 17. Although he recorded his videos as he was going through day-to-day life with disease, he didn’t begin posting until one week later

Zachary has become a large voice on social media, where he boasts over 1.8 million followers, and has been using his platform to educate others

Zachary has become a large voice on social media, where he boasts over 1.8 million followers, and has been using his platform to educate others

Zachary has become a large voice on social media, where he boasts over 1.8 million followers, and has been using his platform to educate others on the importance of medicating, getting tested, using a condom, and what the disease is. 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks your immune system and interferes with your body’s ability to fight off other infections and diseases. 

It can be spread through infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Currently, there is no cure for the disease, however there are medications that can help those with HIV control and prevent the progression. 

If unmedicated, HIV can lead to AIDS, a chronic and potentially life-threatening condition, in eight to 10 weeks. 

Some people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms two to four weeks after getting the virus. Symptoms of HIV include fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. 

Recently, Zachary had an appointment to test his viral load, which reveals the amount of the virus in an infected person’s blood. 

‘So, a high viral load would be in the millions, and I have a viral load of 11,400, so it’s already very low, so it’s going to be very easy for me to go undetectable,’ he shared. 

Zachary also shared that he confirmed who gave him the disease and did not blame them because they didn’t know they had it.  

Zachary also shared that he confirmed who gave him the disease and did not blame them because they didn't know they had it

Zachary also shared that he confirmed who gave him the disease and did not blame them because they didn’t know they had it

Although Zachary is using his platform for good, he has received hate from critics who claim he should be 'going through the emotions'

Although Zachary is using his platform for good, he has received hate from critics who claim he should be ‘going through the emotions’

The teen also said that after getting on medication he has started feeling much better and is coming to terms with the disease by focusing on the joy in his life. 

He is creating more and more videos to show that those dealing with the disease aren’t alone.  

On his TikTok, he said: ‘I want to show that it doesn’t have to define who you are or your life. 

‘I also hate how secretive it is like people treat it like its hush hush, that makes people ashamed to have it,’ he explained. 

Although Zachary is using his platform for good, he has received hate from critics who claim he should be ‘going through the emotions’ instead of ‘just putting on a show for good content.’ 

The 19-year-old has also been criticized for being ‘too happy’, but he noted that he doesn’t take the disease lightly but wants to show his viewers that it doesn’t have to take over their lives. 

He also noted that vlogging daily has helped him ‘get through the whole process.’ 

‘Seeing my own video vlog, this is like a way of coping for me,’ he explained. 

And while he has received some hate, the majority of the comments have been positive

And while he has received some hate, the majority of the comments have been positive

And while he has received some hate, the majority of the comments have been positive. 

One person on Twitter described him as, ‘A goofy zoomer who gets HIV being able to envision a future of getting a few extra tests and taking a couple of daily pills is one of the greatest triumphs of medical science in human history and we should give daily thanks to god that it happened.’ 

Another person commented: ‘Such a positive attitude!’ 

‘I’m so proud of you mamas, you’re so brave, I love you,’ added another person. 

‘Thank you for sharing your story.’ said one user. 

‘Your energy is amazing Zach! Thank you for sharing your journey with us,’ commented one person. 

From now on, Zachary will be transitioning from daily videos to weekly updates.  



[ad_2]

This article belongs to Daily mail

You May Also Like

Lockdowns ‘greatest breach’ of civil liberties since WWII internment camps: Tory MP – National

Conservative MP David Sweet issued a tweet on Friday claiming there is…

Gut Health Guru DR MEGAN ROSSI: What you can eat to help beat hot flushes

While it’s obvious that gut symptoms are linked to the health of our…

Is memory loss usual for your age or is it a sign of DEMENTIA? Experts share 5 ways to tell it apart

Memory slips, mixing up words and struggling to focus can be a…

Doctors urge the CDC to warn Americans about coronavirus vaccine side effects

U.S. doctors are worried that their patients won’t return to get a…