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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 13 >> Talks about how he has had to struggle and fight in life.

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 36-40 >> Interview 17 >> He wanted to tell his parents about his HIV and he prepared them for the news.

He took time to work out who to disclose to and to make treatment decisions (he currently takes Combivir and efavirenz). He initially suffered mental health side-effects (e.g. trouble sleeping, irratibility) but now has few problems with medication.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 17 >> Delaying telling people about your HIV diagnosis has benefits.

He took time to work out who to disclose to and to make treatment decisions (he currently takes Combivir and efavirenz). He initially suffered mental health side-effects (e.g. trouble sleeping, irratibility) but now has few problems with medication.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> He had a difficult relationship with his parents while growing up, but it has improved over the years.

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 21 >> He would only tell his parents about his HIV only if he was ill, but did tell his sister. (Read by an actor.)

Although he was very ill with HIV, he was determined not to become a victim and 'end up on the scrap heap.' He lives a healthy and physically active life on combination therapies (nevirapine and Combivir). (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> He has not told his parents about his HIV status to avoid hurting them, but he wonders if he feels ashamed.

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.

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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Telling children and parents >> Telling children and parents

Telling children and parents

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 19 >> He was under enormous stress when his HIV diagnosis became public in his village.

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.