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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 38 >> Describes how difficult experiences may be buried in the mind and how talking helps.

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 13 >> He relates to the virus so that he feels he has the upper hand over it.

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.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 08 >> Talking to a nurse about her fever helped her to overcome her depressed state. (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 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 56-65 >> Interview 25 >> It helps to talk about HIV, but it can sometimes be difficult to anticipate other people's reactions.

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 >> Talks about how she draws strength from her HIV clinic.

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 46-55 >> Interview 43 >> Talking to other women with HIV gives her courage to approach her doctor about sensitive concerns. (Read by an actor.)

She has teenage children, and although she found it difficult to tell them about her HIV, they were very supportive. She believes that for women it is vital to seek out others with HIV to share their experiences of HIV. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 30 >> Explains how African men's support groups can play a 'magical' role in building men's confidence and strength. (Read by an actor.)

He was admitted to hospital with a high temperature and headaches where he was diagnosed with HIV. He negotiated his current treatment regime with his doctor (Kaletra and efavirenz), (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 08 >> Prayer can be like talking to somebody about your problems. (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 56-65 >> Interview 29 >> Talks about the difference it makes to talk to someone who has been through what you are going through.

He currently takes Kaletra, tenofovir, 3TC and has an undetectable viral load. He has suffered from painful peripheral neuropathy and uses visualisation and meditation to control the pain.

• 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.)

• Topic
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Talking about it >> Talking about it

Talking about it

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 14 >> Talks about the range of things that his local HIV charity does to help people.

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 12 >> Compares an encounter about treatment with a HIV consultant and a counsellor.

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 03 >> Believes that getting support from other people with HIV is the best way to help yourself.

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 31-35 >> Interview 18 >> A midwife and counsellor helped her when she got her HIV results. (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.)