Image
A Girl Like Me logo.

✨ STILL UNDETECTABLE. Since 2001. ✨

Submitted on Feb 17, 2026 by MariaHIVMejia

Today I celebrate 37 years of survival… and my health is the best it has EVER been.

My HIV RNA viral load? Undetectable (<20).
And my CD4 / T-cells? 626. The highest they have EVER been.

For those who don’t know:
CD4 cells (also called T-cells) are the white blood cells that fight infection. They are the commanders of your immune system.

Today, I stand here with a NORMAL, STRONG immune system.

And let me remind you of something powerful:
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
When your viral load is undetectable, you CANNOT sexually transmit HIV. Period. Science has proven this over and over again.

Medicine works.
Adherence works.
Taking your meds every single day works.

But I also believe in caring for the whole temple — mind, body, and soul.

✨ Exercise
✨ What we eat
✨ Managing stress
✨ Releasing anger, hate, resentment, envy
✨ Choosing peace over chaos
✨ Loving ourselves fiercely

Our bodies are sacred. They respond to how we treat them.

My cholesterol? Good.
My triglycerides? Normal for the first time in over 20 years.
My liver, kidneys, red blood cells, white blood cells? Strong.

This is what happens when you combine science, discipline, faith, self-love, and consistency.

As a 37-year long-term survivor, I am living proof:
HIV is not the end.
You can live a long, healthy, vibrant life.

Take your meds.
Take care of your temple.
Love yourself.
Release what poisons your spirit.

Healing is possible. Strength is possible.
And I am standing in it.

Love & Light,
Maria HIV Mejia 🦋✨🙏🏻🌟❤️

 

Image
Maria's redacted labs.
Image courtesy of author

Submitted by Ci Ci
4

this gives me so much hope, Maria. you have been caring for your temple almost my entire life. thank you for doing that - cus you didnt even know you were doing it for me. 😭 congratulations. here's to 37 more!

Submitted by MariaHIVMejia
3

CiCi you always make me shed a tear or two 👀 maybe more with your words ! You just don’t know what this does for me ! It’s fuel to continue on till the end !! I helped you and you help me ! It’s like an infinity symbol ♾️

Submitted by boseolotu
1

Sis Maria,

No matter what life throws at you or still throwing at you, just just keeps using them as a building brick to Success and Thriving all the way.

Love your strength, courage and resilience!

Submitted by JustineDD
1

I commend you in taking care of your health as a whole. Our body is our temple and we only get one. Keep up the amazing work. 

Submitted by Jyoti Dhawale
0

Congratulations on 37 powerful years of being undetectable, Maria, my soul sister!!! Though you are 17 years “senior” to me in regard to being a LTS, you continue to lead with such grace, strength, and wisdom.

As a proud Long-Term Survivor, you are not just living, you are also thriving, teaching, and lighting the path for so many of us walking beside and behind you. Much love.

Image

Members of The Well Project community at USCHA 2022.

Become a Member

Join our community and become a member to find support and connect to other women living with HIV.

Join now >

MariaHIVMejia's recent blog posts

banner

Do you get our newsletter?

¿Recibe nuestro boletín?

Sign up for our monthly Newsletter and get the latest info in your inbox.

Suscríbase a nuestro boletín mensual y reciba la información más reciente en su bandeja de entrada.

Browse Blogs by Theme

Recent Blog Posts

Our Bloggers