ABSTINENCE and safe sex are preventative measures to combat HIV and AIDS says 23-year-old Joeli Colati, who is HIV positive.
Mr Colati, an advocate for the prevention of HIV and AIDS with FJN+, a non-political, non-religious and non-racial organisation, aims to promote and improve the overall quality of the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.
"I haven't come across any kind of stigma for being HIV positive but there are some members of FJN+ who have gone through being treated unfairly when they're admitted at hospital," he said.
"My message is for young people to take HIV and AIDS seriously. It has no barrier and it can happen to anyone no matter how safe you think you are.
"The first time I had sex it happened to me. For those who are having sex, condoms are available and there's always the option of practising safe sex."
Mr Colati said being diagnosed with HIV should not stop a person from living a normal life.
He has high hopes of finding a companion.
"I'm not afraid to have a girlfriend or start a family because I have learnt a lot about HIV and AIDS," he said.
"But abstaining or delaying sex until you get married can prevent a person from getting HIV or sexually transmitted infections."
Mr Colati takes a dosage of zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz twice a day for treatment since diagnosed with HIV in 2007.
