home
a-z of conditions
forums
news
about us
See all conditions
HIV
Forum
Resources & Information
Subject index
Credits
Full list of topics
Experiences of health care :
Getting a diagnosis
Getting health and social care
Making decisions about treatment
Taking anti-HIV drugs
Challenges of anti-HIV drugs
Looking after yourself :
Coping with mental health problems
Dealing with your thoughts
Talking about it
Becoming informed
Gaining power and strength
Spirituality and religion
Holistic health
Disclosure, discrimination and other challenges :
Secrecy and telling people
Support groups
Dealing with difficulties, finances and benefits
Work and routine
Prejudice, stigma and discrimination
Telling children and parents
Negotiating Sex :
How people became infected
Casual sexual encounters
Sex in relationships
Telling sexual partners
Looking ahead :
Living now & in the future
Illness and death
Finally, what people with HIV want you to know
Search the whole site
Search in this condition
HIV
Subject index
Clip
Chronic health issues
>>
HIV
>>
Aged 36-40
>>
Interview 13
>>
He believes his holistic approach to his health kept him well.
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 56-65
>>
Interview 29
>>
He takes 'drug holidays' and lives with the consequences.
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 36-40
>>
Interview 12
>>
He put up with diarrhoea and painful feet on his new combination because it worked so well.
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
>>
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
>>
He stopped taking his anti-HIV drugs and his T cells quickly fell to the low level they were before treatment.
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 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 31-35
>>
Interview 18
>>
She was distressed about the side effects of her medication, but the doctor focused on the improvements in her immune system. (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 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 45
>>
Says that praying for herself and others (even her enemies) has improved her health and led to good fortune in her life. (Read by an actor.)
She was staying with her sister when she was diagnosed. Her sister mistreated her because of her HIV. Social groups, courses and Christianity have contributed to her wellbeing and empowerment. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)
Mail to a friend