OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Brandon Garette is celebrating his 46th birthday this week. He’s also celebrating something else: Twenty-five years of living with HIV/AIDS.

“To me it’s a celebration. I didn’t think I’d see 30, now I’m 46,” said Garette, in an interview earlier this week.

When he was first diagnosed, after contracting the disease from his first sexual experience with a male, he was told he had 16 months to live. But last year, he went on a cruise and did an activity that was on the top of his bucket list: He swam with dolphins in the Bahamas.

“I always said it would be a miracle if I’d get to go” on a cruise, said Garette. The ship, aptly enough, was named Carnival Miracle.

It’s been a long journey, and he has gone through different doctors and medication regiments, including one medication that gave him nightmares and sleepwalking. He has suffered fatigue from pain medication as well as bouts of pneumonia and related illness.

“This has not been the easiest 25 years of my life,” he said. “I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”

Garette’s fight to get better has taken its toll on his body. He was on azidothymidine, commonly known as AZT, for seven years, which has caused myopathy in his extremities, and muscular weakness and numbness in his hands.

Garette is friendly and describes himself as a people person. He is open and upfront about his disease, and the license plate of his car reads “IMPOZRU” (I am positive are you). He has done some public speaking and believes his role is to educate others about HIV/AIDS.

“It’s still out there, running rampant,” he said. He said he’s heard of parties where people still have uninhibited, unprotected sex.

“To me, that’s Russian roulette,” he said.

Garette sometimes gets down about his situation, but therapy and faith in God have helped him maintain a positive outlook. He said he prays every day.

“I thank God every day I’m alive,” he said.

Jennifer Putnam, director of programs for the Frannie Peabody Center said the rate of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Maine has maintained steady for the past seven years at 16 a year, and there are 1,200-1,500 people living with HIV/AIDS in Maine. The center provides rapid HIV testing and counseling, community education, as well as services for those living with HIV/AIDS including case management and housing.

“This is a very treatable disease now. Having said that, you don’ t want to get it,” said Putnam. The disease requires a daily treatment plan “for the rest of your life.”

Jamie Cotnoir, program manager for the Ryan White Part B Program, which provides medical case management for people living with HIV/AIDS in Maine, said one of the best ways for people living with the disease to maintain their health is to take medications at the same time every day. She said drug companies have improved medications, limiting the side effects and reducing the amount of pills needed each day.

“In the earlier days, people were taking handfuls multiple times a day,” said Cotnoir.

The life expectancy varies, but overall people are living longer with AIDS now than in the early days of the disease, she said, and studies are showing the earlier someone is in health care after they are diagnosed with HIV, the better their quality of life will be.

According to information published on a  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website,  “HIV can be manageable as a chronic disease,” with daily medication, regular laboratory monitoring, and lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, adequate sleep and exercise.

According to information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are 31 antiretroviral drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat HIV infection. These treatments do not cure people of HIV or AIDS, but suppress the virus, sometime to undetectable levels, and people infected with HIV can now lead longer and healthier lives, according to the website.

As Garette looks to the future, he said he hopes to live until 70 and someday visit Australia. He admits to smoking and has recently joined a gym and is working toward better nutrition.

He’s also looking for love, he said, as it’s been years since he dated someone.

“I truly believe I’ll find someone. How could God put me through all this hell and not give me someone to love?” he said.

But for now, he is planning to enjoy his 46th birthday and had plans for a party and some karaoke on Saturday ”“ and just enjoy life.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.