Luke Sloane was about to go for lunch with a friend when he found out he was HIV positive.

He admits now, three years on, in what might be considered somewhat of an understatement, that it "totally ruined his day".

Of course, the crushing reality for the Margate gardener was far more than that, as life as he knew it came crashing down around him.

He knew, due to modern treatments, that having HIV was no longer a death sentence, but he admits it still felt like the end of the world.

"It came completely out of the blue," he said.

"When I found out, I fainted, which seems really dramatic, but I just didn't expect it.

"There's a misconception that you have to sleep around or lead some crazy lifestyle to have it.

"But I was just in this little relationship and I was faithful to him, so it's really unfair when that association is made - that's what makes you feel dirty and ashamed, because people think you've just been sleeping with lots of people.

"I think I'm a good example to show that this can happen to anyone, whether you're gay or not."

His experience is vastly different to that seen in Channel 4's gripping new drama series It's a Sin, which follows the joyous yet heartbreaking story of a group of gay friends whose lives are shattered by the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

It examines the harsh realities of the crisis as the mysterious new virus - at one point referred to as the 'gay plague' - tore lives apart and left authorities and medics baffled.

But while Luke's experience is a world away from the scenes of 1980s London depicted on screen, he understands the challenges faced when it comes to misconceptions.

'There's a lot of talk about it at the moment - there's It's a Sin on TV and it was recently National HIV Testing Week...'

The dad-of-two, who runs Luke at Your Garden, had previously been in a relationship with a woman, leading a typical 2.4 children life.

And he admits it was only when he came out after hitting 30 that he even realised people were still getting HIV.

"People just don't talk about it and so it's still misunderstood," said the 39-year-old.

"After I was diagnosed, even some of my own family were a bit like 'just take your tablets and let's forget about it, don't talk about it'."

When the virus became prevalent in the 1980s, sufferers were dying from conditions such as pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma and lung infections.

These diseases were related to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) - the name used to describe life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when the immune system has been severely damaged by HIV.

Today, however, treatments can allow those living with the virus to lead normal lives with a life-expectancy the same as those without HIV.

Luke has been taking antiretroviral treatment since 2018, reducing his viral load to such small quantities that it is now deemed 'undetectable'.

It means he cannot transmit the virus, although it doesn't mean he is cured.

"When I first found out I had it, I felt scared to bleed, scared to touch people, worried about using the same cutlery," he said. "No one else seemed worried, but I was.

"But once you're undetectable, it changes how you think and how you feel mentally.

"I don't feel it prevents me from having partners as I can't transmit it.

"This treatment is how they are ending HIV."

In 2019, the government announced it had set a goal to eradicate new transmissions in England by 2030.

This is through regular testing, promoting condom use, prevention information and effective treatment which stops people living with HIV or passing on the virus.

"There's a lot of talk about it at the moment," said Luke. "There's It's a Sin on TV and it was recently National HIV Testing Week.

"It's so important to raise awareness. Less people are newly diagnosed, but there are a lot of people living with it.

"Everyone needs to get tested. Once that's done, it will help stop transmission.

"The problem is people like to label what someone is - so you're gay or you're straight.

"People here get hung up on sexuality, so some may sneak around trying to be discreet and that's when it's a risk, because the last thing these people are going to do is get tested for HIV.

"But everyone needs to get tested, heterosexual people as well - it's not just gay people that have unprotected sex and can catch it.

"The gay community is well on board with it; we all get tested, but straight people think they couldn't get it. They think they're safe, which is dangerous."

Recent figures from the National Aids Trust show the proportion of late diagnoses of HIV is highest among heterosexual men and women.

Luke, who took regular tests before his diagnosis, says it's a myth that HIV is not as bad as it was in the 80s.

"It's exactly the same - it's just that it's so treatable and can be found quicker with regular testing," he said.

"I got a home test delivered to me after I suspected I had been put at risk, although I never thought it would be positive."

He admits he felt cheated, but when he went to a health clinic to get it confirmed, he didn't get the reaction he expected.

'Whatever someone may tell you, you've got to protect yourself...'

"I went with an attitude that someone else was responsible.

"But when I got there, I was told 'it's your fault, you should have worn a condom'.

"I was like 'wow' but then that is the harsh truth. We've got to take responsibility for our own health before anything else.

"Whatever someone may tell you, you've got to protect yourself."

Luke, who says he has built new friendships since his diagnosis, including with former X Factor performer and HIV campaigner Ivo Dimchev, has now launched an online support and awareness group, called HIV by the Sea.

"I was initially worried about doing it, about the possible shame and embarrassment, but there is such a lack of knowledge out there it's important to do this," he said.

"People can feel uncomfortable with it, but I want to highlight it. I want to help end the virus

"I wish at the beginning there was somewhere I could have gone to to help me deal with what was happening, somewhere I could speak to people in the same situation.

"This is where the idea of the group came from. I want to act as a mentor to people and create a community which can offer support.

"We're a bit cut off here in Thanet - in London it's more common to be open about this.

"I admit I've had abuse. I was also getting harassed last year and started to feel like a victim.

"But by setting up this group I feel empowered and that stopped.

"It's like I've taken control and grown in confidence and really, that's what I want to offer others who might be suffering in silence."

To join the the group or for information visit https://www.facebook.com/HIVbythesea

*It's A Sin is currently showing on Channel 4 and All 4.

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