Many people living with HIV in New Jersey and across the country are getting the word out that HIV no longer means the end to a normal life.

Health officials say 33,000 New Jersey residents are living with the HIV virus. One resident says the disease has changed her life, but didn?t ruin it. She wants people to know that anyone can become infected and the disease is treatable.

Doctors at the state?s largest AIDS and HIV clinic in Newark say most of the patients live virtually normal lives by taking as few as just one pill a day. Doctors say once a patient is diagnosed they must continue their medication despite how healthy they feel.

The recent AIDS/HIV awareness comes as many commemorate World AIDS Day.