A MOTHER has revealed the horror moment she was told she had HIV.

The Colchester woman, who does not wish to be identified, contracted the virus when she had unprotected sex with a man she had met in a bar.

Now she wants to warn other women not to make the same mistake.

The 26-year-old said she was horrified when she was called back to her GP’s surgery after having a blood test.

She said: “The nurse just said, ‘your blood tests have come back positive for HIV’.

“I was gobsmacked.

“I knew very little about HIV and certainly did not expect it to happen to me.

“I stood in the High Street just bawling my eyes out thinking ‘I’m going to die’.”

The divorced mother-of-three has to take drugs to suppress the virus for the rest of her life and is more susceptible to illness.

There is also a small risk of her passing the virus on to a future partner and if she has more children.

She said: “I am lucky I have found out now and am on the medication and I have the chance of living a full life.

“However, if people don’t know they have it, the life expectancy is ten to 15 years.

“You just have to be so careful.

“I don’t think people think it’s ever going to happen to them, especially in this country.

“It didn’t even cross my mind.

“I know sometimes people think they can’t be bothered with condoms, but you have to consider whether you want a lifelong illness for the sake of one night.

“It’s just not worth it.”

About 1,000 people in Colchester and Tendring have been diagnosed with HIV.

Peter Richardson, a spokesman for NHS North East Essex, said: “The best way of avoiding HIV is not to have unprotected sex.

“Condoms are available from a number of easily accessible clinic and pharmacy locations across north-east Essex and are free to under-25s.

“Sexual health advice is also available from our clinics.

“Whenever anyone has put themselves at risk of HIV through unprotected sex or sharing needles, they should always get themselves checked out at a sexual health clinic or speak to their GP.”

Anyone who is concerned about HIV infection can call the National AIDS Helpline on 0800 567123.