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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 14 >> Was fearful of death when he was first diagnosed with HIV

He believes dealing with multiple difficulties in his life like HIV has made him stronger. He takes Fosamprenavir, Ritonavir, Tenofovir and Emtricitabine (6 tablets once in the evening) with few side effects.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> Talks about what it is like to get your life back on the new HIV treatments after facing death.

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 28 >> He worries about being dead rather than about dying.

He currently has an undetectable viral load and about 900 CD4 cells. He did not respond well to earlier regimes, but is now doing well on 'salvage therapy,' although his medication has numerous side-effects.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 24 >> His belief in God and eternal life means he feels secure in dying.

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 56-65 >> Interview 25 >> Explains why he will put up with side effects and stick with his current medication.

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 41-45 >> Interview 22 >> She did not fear death, but did not want to leave her children.

Her anti-HIV drugs (Kaletra and Combivir) brought her viral load down to undetectable at the time of interview. She has strong faith that Jesus has healed her in combination with her medical care.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 26 >> She is scared and feels trapped without work or benefits while her immigration matters are sorted out. (Read by an actor.)

Her medication (lamivudine, efavirenz and ddI) brought her viral load down to undetectable, but she has had some side effects like loss of memory, tiredness and nightmares. She does get depressed at times, but has a faith that God is helping her. (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 31-35 >> Interview 18 >> Has decided to gradually introduce the topic of her HIV status to her child. (Read by an actor.)

Her current combination of abacavir, AZT and 3TC has few side-effects. She feels much better having started exercising and improving her diet. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 40 >> A partner removed a condom during sex and she believes it is difficult for women to insist on condoms because of possible violence.

She kept her HIV status secret for many years as she believed this was necessary for her survival. Currently in the UK, she is on a new anti-viral combination and the virus is now undetectable in her blood.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Believes that the high level of service he gets from the NHS will not last.

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 12 >> When facing death he comforted himself that an early death was not unusual in human history.

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 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.