TikTok star Brian Chira: How I contracted HIV
Content creator Brian Chira has shared his journey as a person diagnosed with HIV.
He first revealed his HIV status via his TikTok page to raise awareness and combat the stigmatization surrounding the ailment.
Chira, known for his captivating TikTok content, has amassed a significant following with his relatable and authentic approach.
Until recently, Chira had chosen to remain silent about how he contracted the disease.
However, in a candid interview with the Obinna show on YouTube, the bold influencer shed light on the circumstances surrounding his HIV infection.
He disclosed that he had been infected by a male friend during a party in Mombasa.
Recounting the traumatic incident, Chira revealed:
“It’s still very difficult to talk about how I got HIV. I went to Mombasa to attend a high-end party and arrived early. I was looking for a place to hang out when a friend of mine invited me over.
When I arrived, he had also invited four other people, and they came with their partners, making us a group of six.
We ordered drinks, and things quickly escalated. I feel like I was taken advantage of. I was raped and reported the incident after returning to school.
I was prescribed Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep), but unfortunately, the prescription was not given to me correctly, and there were days when I skipped taking it. That’s how I contracted HIV.”
Struggling with the aftermath of the assault, Chira confided that he felt both devastated and helpless.
Yet, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that someone reached out to him and urged him to get tested for HIV.
An organization they were associated with provided the testing services, and the results confirmed his worst fears – he was HIV positive.
Chira remembered how his mind raced with thoughts of his beloved grandmother, who had already endured the loss of her children.
“Seeing my grandma cooking for us, remembering that she had lost her children, and then here I am with HIV… I felt crushed,” he shared.
Chira later got the strength to embrace a positive outlook.
Determined to confront his circumstances head-on, he made the decision to start taking medication and embark on a journey of self-acceptance and empowerment.
Chira said he had forgiven the man who took advantage of him although he also mentioned that he had passed away after that incidence.
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