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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> To a certain extent he dealt with HIV by becoming informed.

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 24 >> He became addicted to heroin when he could not find a job.

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 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 46-55 >> Interview 04 >> Describes what happened when he used recreational drugs to treat his depression.

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.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 22 >> She is very open about her HIV status.

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 56-65 >> Interview 25 >> He is enjoying his retirement and has enrolled on a full time pottery course.

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 56-65 >> Interview 25 >> He is enjoying his retirement and has enrolled on a full time pottery course.

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 36-40 >> Interview 36 >> Talks about how he encouraged another African man to attend an African support group. (Read by an actor.)

He accesses African support groups, and this helps to relieve the boredom and stress of being 'stuck' while his immigration status is sorted out. He is currently taking efavirenz and Combivir, and has a low viral load. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 27 >> Felt that a friendship that suffered because of his HIV was trouble anyway. (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 38 >> It can be hard to maintain friendships when people expect you to die early.

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 19 >> In facing death and grief he developed deeper connections with people.

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.