Andrew Hanuman was in the midst of gruelling final exams when he heard the words that would change his life.

A routine check-up at a health clinic had revealed the worst - he was HIV positive.

His immediate reaction was disbelief. Having worked with people with HIV while studying for his degree in social work at East London University, he knew all the risks.

He said: "It was completely out of the blue. I didn't think there was any possibility I could be infected so it was a big surprise.

"I was working with people with HIV and some of my friends had Aids so I was very well educated and very careful.

"I even demanded a number of retests to make sure it was true.

"Initially, I just felt disbelief and there was a lot of denial."

Although his mind was anywhere but on his degree, Andrew was determined to soldier on. At 29, he was a university late- comer and determined to see it through.

He said: "There was a sense of 'Oh my God, my life is over' but I had to hold it together and I was still having to focus."

Now 37, and living in Brighton, Andrew has the demeanour of someone who is anything but bitter.

And when he thinks of the future, it is without fear.

He said: "I don't believe I'm dying. Maybe that's denial but it certainly feels more peaceful.

"I used to feel like I had to rush for everything. After I was diagnosed I think I saw every continent in the world within about five years.

"At first I was told I would have Aids within two years but that was before the advent of combination therapy and here I am eight years later. Being diagnosed is no longer a death sentence."

Andrew is now a health promotion worker at the Open Door Project, a drop-in centre in Kemp Town, where he has overseen the publication of a book penned by people living with HIV.

T-Cell Chronicles is a compilation of stories, poems and short essays from 21 members of Xpress Yourself, a group which shares experiences of the illness.

At times moving, but also funny and insightful, the book is a testament to the power of positive thought - a quality that Andrew exudes.

He said: "I'm so busy. I work full time and also DJ and write articles so I don't think people feel they can pity me.

"People who have just been diagnosed come in and think they have to stop thinking about their careers and dreams and that they have nothing but illness and death to look forward to.

"Having a purpose is very important. I am financially independent, I have my own home, I have a full time job so it's easy for me. I see that continuing for a long, long time.

"The book is basically about living with HIV rather than dying from it."

Something it highlights is that people with HIV cannot be pigeonholed. The writers are gay and straight, male and female, from a mix of ages and backgrounds and some are parents.

Andrew said the book was important in showing the human face of HIV.

"One of my big bug bears is when people define themselves and others as HIV positive.

"People come in and say 'I have just been diagnosed with HIV' without even saying their name. If someone asks me if I'm HIV positive I say 'No, I'm Andrew'.

"It is the only condition people do that with. You don't say she is cancer."

But does having HIV make romantic relationships difficult?

Andrew said: "I began a four- year relationship with someone who wasn't HIV five months after finding out I had it. It was difficult at times. For example I would be planning for the next few years while he would be planning for his pension.

"Sometimes it felt like there were three of us - me, him and HIV. But there are problems in all relationships."

And as for the future, Andrew said: "I now think about today rather than always planning for what is to come."

T-Cell Chronicles, by the Xpress Yourself Group, is published by Omnigen and can be ordered from bookshops. To find out more about the group, or about the Open Door Project, call 01273 605706.