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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 02 >> Because the medication works he can get on with life and not think so much about HIV.

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 02 >> What it felt like going for a HIV test result.

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 02 >> What it felt like going for a HIV test result.

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 46-55 >> Interview 01 >> It took him some time before he was prepared to go for a HIV test.

A long term survivor who has done a considerable amount of voluntary work in Aids, uses complementary health approaches, and is concerned about HIV discrimination and stigma.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 35 >> Explains that talking to someone with HIV can be inspiring. (Read by an actor.)

He turned up in the health system with TB in the mid-1990s, and was tested for HIV. He has an undetectable viral load and 400 CD4 cells. He accesses African support groups and the Internet for support. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 27 >> Talks about how counselling allowed him to sort out feelings he previously avoided. (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 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Counselling validated the anger he had previously skipped over, and he realised the seductiveness of some feelings.

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 41-45 >> Interview 08 >> Her doctor told her about her HIV status calmly, with empathy and advice, allowing her space to react. (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 20-30 >> Interview 27 >> It took him a year until he was able to express his real feelings about being diagnosed HIV positive. (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 01 >> Used a visualisation to picture destroying the HIV virus in his body and felt more in control.

A long term survivor who has done a considerable amount of voluntary work in Aids, uses complementary health approaches, and is concerned about HIV discrimination and stigma.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 56-65 >> Interview 34 >> Support groups can help with the free discussion of difficult topics and expression of feelings. (Read by an actor.)

His wife took the news about his HIV very badly and their relationship broke up. He felt depressed and had suicidal thoughts. The care of HIV clinic staff and support groups were very important to his survival. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 27 >> Support groups are not for everyone all the time. (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 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> He had a difficult relationship with his parents while growing up, but it has improved over the years.

Has slowly built up his strength since his illness, becoming highly expert in HIV. He did extensive self-development work on himself. He has 870 CD4 cells and currently takes nevirapine, abacavir, and lamivudine with minimal side effects.

• 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 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> Describes how he reacted to - and tried to deal with - the sudden prospect that he might die.

Has slowly built up his strength since his illness, becoming highly expert in HIV. He did extensive self-development work on himself. He has 870 CD4 cells and currently takes nevirapine, abacavir, and lamivudine with minimal side effects.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 13 >> Drawing from his 10 years of experience, he summarises his advice about the life 'journey' for people living with HIV.

He currently takes 4 antivirals (AZT, atazanavir, ritonavir, tenofovir) after suffering severe side effects from other combinations. His viral load was low and he attributes his good health to taking responsibility for his own wellbeing.