”Am I Going to Die?” Ellie Harrison Was Diagnosed With HIV At 21

A Routine STI Check. A Life-Changing Diagnosis.

At 21, Ellie Harrison was living her London dream; working in fashion, in a long-term relationship, studying and partying with friends. Then a routine STI check changed everything: she was HIV positive. Her diagnosis was a complete mystery, and in that moment it felt like the sky was falling. Sitting alone on a canal-side bench after leaving the clinic, Ellie was convinced she'd just been handed a death sentence.

In this conversation you’ll hear:

• What happened after her diagnosis
• What it really means to live with HIV today
• The key differences between HIV and AIDS
• The stigma and prejudice she’s faced
• Her mission to help end HIV transmission

Ellie tells a powerful story of resilience, enlightenment and breaking down outdated misconceptions.

You can read more about the work of the UK charity, Terrence Higgins Trust here.

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CREDITS:

Host: Kate Langbroek

Guest: Ellie Harrison.

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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