• Clip
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 19 >> Believes that other sexually transmitted infections can make HIV infection more likely.

Although medically retired, he is very active and works voluntarily. He is currently on lopinavir, 3TC, abacavir, ddI and tenofovir, with 1700 viral copies. Side-effects have included lipodystrophy.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 38 >> Believes that basic sex education in schools is failing many young people.

Although he has developed a lot of resistance to anti-HIV drugs, he is currently doing well on T20, TMC114 (as part of a trial), FTC, tenofovir and abacavir, and has an undetectable viral load.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 38 >> Says that we need to be clearer in educating people about which body fluids can transmit HIV.

Although he has developed a lot of resistance to anti-HIV drugs, he is currently doing well on T20, TMC114 (as part of a trial), FTC, tenofovir and abacavir, and has an undetectable viral load.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 06 >> HIV positive can be judged as having been 'promiscuous', which is unfair.

He is currently receiving psychotherapy, mainly for his HIV diagnosis and sexual assault. On benefits, he keeps himself busy, and is positive about life and returning to work.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 23 >> Coming from a country where sex and HIV was not discussed meant that he misinterpreted advice about safe sex. (Read by an actor.)

He was shocked when he found out he was actually infected with HIV, and he wanted to kill himself. Since his viral load has reduced to undetectable with medication (currently emtricitabine, efavirenz, tenofovir), he has felt much better physically and psychologically. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 19 >> Talks about the risk of getting HIV in unsafe sex.

Although medically retired, he is very active and works voluntarily. He is currently on lopinavir, 3TC, abacavir, ddI and tenofovir, with 1700 viral copies. Side-effects have included lipodystrophy.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 24 >> He was addicted to heroin and tells how turning to Jesus as a trusted friend was important in his recovery.

At one stage, he was very unwell and his CD4 cells were as low as 200. Since drug rehabilitation in the Russian Exodus Christian charity, he has been able to get his life back on track and his CD4 cells are now 900.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Describes his seroconversion illness.

He suffered from severe diarrhoea and peripheral neuropathy while taking an earlier combination of anti-HIV drugs, but he currently takes nelfinavir, 3TC and abacavir with few side effects. He has had to cope with HIV-related illness, depression and mania at various times in his life.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 37 >> Talks about the answer he came up with when he prayed to God to explain why he had got HIV. (Read by an actor.)

He feels that he is a stronger person because of his experience with HIV. He is not currently on medication and had 680 CD4 cells. He now takes care of himself through exercise and diet. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 38 >> Some of his neighbours in a small English village are still ignorant about HIV.

Although he has developed a lot of resistance to anti-HIV drugs, he is currently doing well on T20, TMC114 (as part of a trial), FTC, tenofovir and abacavir, and has an undetectable viral load.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 42 >> Prayer and support groups helped her to move on from her sense of betrayal and anger that her husband had infected her with HIV. (Read by an actor.)

She became sick in the UK while visiting some of her children who live here, and she feels she is now 'stuck here.' The uncertainty over her immigration status is very stressful and does get her down. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Argues that prosecutions of people for HIV transmission stigmatises him as a potential criminal.

He suffered from severe diarrhoea and peripheral neuropathy while taking an earlier combination of anti-HIV drugs, but he currently takes nelfinavir, 3TC and abacavir with few side effects. He has had to cope with HIV-related illness, depression and mania at various times in his life.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 15 >> Feels he contracted HIV from a partner who was not aware of their HIV infection. (Read by an actor.)

He is determined not to let HIV rule his life. He takes Sustiva/Combivir with no current side effects. He exercises and is careful about his diet to stay healthy. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 02 >> He wants to avoid passing HIV on to anyone, and he may choose a HIV positive partner.

Now on efavirenz and Combivir, his viral load is undetectable. He has suffered few side-effects. He had counseling to help him cope, and looks forward to getting back to work.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 08 >> Initially wondered how she got HIV but then felt the question could not be usefully answered. (Read by an actor.)

Now on anti-retroviral treatment (3TC, lopinavir, ddI), she is feeling much better and has returned to work. Her current CD4 cells are 400. Religion is important to her positive attitude. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 44 >> Says the question about how her HIV infection happened is unhelpful and she feels annoyed that doctors ask. (Read by an actor.)

She has not told some of her children about her HIV because some are still in Africa and may suffer ill treatment due to stigma. Support groups and prayer give her strength, although she does still get depressed at times. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 56-65 >> Interview 25 >> He assumed he had got HIV from his long-term partner and so had unprotected sex with a HIV positive man.

He currently takes didanosine, ritonavir, lamivudine and saquinavir for HIV. He has suffered from non-painful peripheral neuropathy and some lipodystrophy. With treatment, he now looks forward to a long retirement.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 05 >> One of his partners did not want to use condoms for anal sex because he thought he either already had HIV or would get HIV. (Read by an actor.)

His current T cells are 600 and he is not on anti-HIV medication. He is happy to be alive now, does voluntary work (non-HIV) and training courses. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 27 >> He thinks he became infected with HIV at a time when he was having emotional problems. (Read by an actor.)

He currently has a viral load of about 160,000 and 360 CD cells, and has not yet begun anti-HIV medication. His diagnosis has been a catalyst in facing up to many issues in his life. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 04 >> Says that men who do not know their own HIV status and yet react badly to his HIV are behaving foolishly.

He was taking saquinavir, ritonavir, tenofovir, and ddI with few side effects. He was also taking Prozac for depression. He had an undetectable viral load. Counselling has helped him to cope.