TIKTOK star Mainly Mannie, known as Boss and CEO to his 1.3 million followers, has confirmed he is HIV positive.
The online content creator confirmed the news in a raw video filmed from his bed at a treatment facility.
He revealed that the diagnosis was made in the summer after he was suddenly unable to walk.
Mannie, who celebrated his birthday from the hospital on Saturday, said the news came after a number of struggles he has been dealing with.
"I'm a lucky person. Blessed. I just wanna tell you guys a few things. Life has been trying to take me out lately," he said.
"From the accidents, the sicknesses, and stuff and then me finding out I had AIDs and HIV.
"I couldn't walk after the summer."
In the emotional video, he claims he contracted the virus from his ex, but insists he is "not the victim."
"Yes, my ex gave me this and I didn't know, he hid a lot of things, but i'm not a victim because I had signs," he said.
However, he reassured viewers that he is "happy to be living life" and is "feeling a lot better" after beginning treatment.
But, in another blow, Mannie said the medication he needs costs $4,000 a month.
As a result, he has set up a GoFundMe page which has already raised over $8,400 of its $12,000 goal.
"I do plan on giving some money to charities that support HIV and people that can't afford," he wrote on the page.
"I have great support and I'll survive. I do this go fund me to help others because it's the right thing to do!"
In a video on Instagram, the star said while he is still struggling to walk, he can stand, and tearfully thanked supporters for their donations.
"I don't know what to say, all I know is that i'm going to have a better future because of this," he said.
A separate clip showed him using a walker with the assistance of a nurse who said his legs are still weak and balance is off.
She told the TikToker he would be using a walker for a while longer as he struggled to support himself or move around the room.
Thousands of fans have flocked to his social media pages to share words of love and support.
Earlier this year, Mannie revealed he was pre-diabetic and told fans to "make your health a top priority".
What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease.
An estimated 106,890 people are living with the condition in the UK.
In most cases, it spreads through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.
Most people will experience flu-like symptoms two to six weeks after being infected.
This tends to include a sore throat, fever and a rash all over the body, which lasts one to two weeks.
After this, HIV may not cause any symptoms at all, but the virus continues to damage your immune system.
Some people go on to experience weight loss, night sweats, thrush in the mouth, an increase in herpes or cold sore outbreaks, swollen glands in the groin, neck or armpit, long-lasting diarrhoea, and tiredness.
While there is no cure for HIV, there are very effective treatments that enable most people with the virus to live long and healthy lives.
Medication now reduces the amount of the virus in the body to the point of being undetectable, meaning it cannot be transmitted.
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