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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 23 >> Was shocked by the way a doctor in Accident and Emergency treated him. (Read by an actor.)

He was shocked when he found out he was actually infected with HIV, and he wanted to kill himself. Since his viral load has reduced to undetectable with medication (currently emtricitabine, efavirenz, tenofovir), he has felt much better physically and psychologically. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 08 >> Her doctors were good at communicating with her so she was happy to go along with their decision about starting HIV medication. (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 03 >> He was used to collaborating in treatment decisions with his HIV consultant and felt his oncologist did not treat him as an equal.

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 16 >> Believes that being optimistic can help people to cope with health problems if they arise.

He was taking a combination of anti-virals (zidovudine, nevirapine and abacavir) with no side effects. He has less energy than he once did, but is not sure if this is due to HIV or getting older.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 38 >> People need to live life in the present, but responsibly.

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 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 36-40 >> Interview 35 >> A hospital doctor wrote to his GP about his HIV and so he is now suspicious of health professionals. (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 46-55 >> Interview 38 >> Talks about how people need to live life in the present, but responsibly.

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 41-45 >> Interview 08 >> Feels that God answered her prayer for healing. (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 46-55 >> Interview 19 >> Discrimination against HIV positive people can, and should, be challenged.

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.

• 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 11 >> Explains how you could deal with being preached at: You can always change your doctor if you are unhappy with him or her.

He has never needed medication for HIV. Even though he did not think he would live past his 20s, he is now facing middle age.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 50 >> A husband and wife who both had HIV tried to find the humour in nursing their child who was ill with HIV. (Read by an actor.)

His new born child was diagnosed with HIV, and he and his wife were both subsequently diagnosed with HIV too. His family is in good health and his child is prospering with support from the NHS. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 35 >> Hospital staff outside the HIV clinic told his GP about his HIV status. (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 36-40 >> Interview 39 >> You may need to find out what social services are available to you since they might not come to you. (Read by an actor.)

He was admitted to hospital very ill and was diagnosed with HIV. He was put on Septrin because of his low T cell count. He gained social work assistance in hospital, and is hopeful about his immigration application. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> Work stress coincided with his illnesses and he decided to retrain for work that interested him.

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 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 46-55 >> Interview 42 >> After an advocate visited her in hospital and helped her join a support group, she was motivated to get better. (Read by an actor.)

She became sick in the UK while visiting some of her children who live here, and she feels she is now 'stuck here.' The uncertainty over her immigration status is very stressful and does get her down. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• 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 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> Compares negotiating with doctors in the earlier days of HIV to what it is like for him now.

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 05 >> For this health professional and his colleagues it was difficult for him to become a patient. (Read by an actor.)

His current T cells are 600 and he is not on anti-HIV medication. He is happy to be alive now, does voluntary work (non-HIV) and training courses. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 02 >> How he thought about his future when first diagnosed.

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 24 >> He felt depressed and useless after his HIV diagnosis.

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 41-45 >> Interview 08 >> Her doctors were good at communicating with her so she was happy to go along with their decision about starting HIV medication. (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 03 >> He was used to collaborating in treatment decisions with his HIV consultant and felt his oncologist did not treat him as an equal.

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 >> How he thought about his future when first diagnosed.

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 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> Work stress coincided with his illnesses and he decided to retrain for work that interested him.

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 35 >> A hospital doctor wrote to his GP about his HIV and so he is now suspicious of health professionals. (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.)