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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> While they always had safe sex, using condoms felt like missing out on a reward.

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 31-35 >> Interview 51 >> He feels his partner is worried about becoming infected with HIV and he finds it hard to enjoy sex. (Read by an actor.)

His immigration status was uncertain at the time of the interview. His approach to HIV includes exercise, good food and support groups. He tells his sexual partners about his HIV and he is also very careful to have safe sex. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 27 >> He thinks he became infected with HIV at a time when he was having emotional problems. (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 31-35 >> Interview 51 >> He told his partner about his HIV and he uses three condoms to be extra safe*. (Read by an actor.)

His immigration status was uncertain at the time of the interview. His approach to HIV includes exercise, good food and support groups. He tells his sexual partners about his HIV and he is also very careful to have safe sex. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 49 >> Says that young people in particular find it hard to get what they want from sex.

Clint progressed to Aids defining illnesses relatively quickly. Fortunately, combination therapy had come in by then, and his original combination (Combivir, efavirenz and nelfinavir) is still effective today.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Counselling validated the anger he had previously skipped over, and he realised the seductiveness of some feelings.

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 46-55 >> Interview 19 >> Talks about the risk of getting HIV in unsafe sex.

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 46-55 >> Interview 05 >> One of his partners did not want to use condoms for anal sex because he thought he either already had HIV or would get HIV. (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 56-65 >> Interview 25 >> His thoughts on disclosure of HIV status in casual sex are shifting.

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 31-35 >> Interview 18 >> She says that men who want unprotected vaginal sex have various ways of getting what they want. (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 41-45 >> Interview 02 >> He wants to avoid passing HIV on to anyone, and he may choose a HIV positive partner.

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 40 >> A partner removed a condom during sex and she believes it is difficult for women to insist on condoms because of possible violence.

She kept her HIV status secret for many years as she believed this was necessary for her survival. Currently in the UK, she is on a new anti-viral combination and the virus is now undetectable in her blood.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 18 >> Says that sex between people is complex and it can be difficult to get men to use condoms. (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 36-40 >> Interview 17 >> At the time of his diagnosis, despite a strong bond there was too much else to think about to consider reviving sex in their relationship.

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 28 >> Was able to identify the time he seroconverted because he and his partner tested together and his first two tests were negative.

He currently has an undetectable viral load and about 900 CD4 cells. He did not respond well to earlier regimes, but is now doing well on 'salvage therapy,' although his medication has numerous side-effects.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Initially he believed he could restrict his sex life because he was not aware of the full range of sexual possibilities.

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 >> Initially he believed he could restrict his sex life because he was not aware of the full range of sexual possibilities.

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 >> Counselling validated the anger he had previously skipped over, and he realised the seductiveness of some feelings.

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 46-55 >> Interview 19 >> Talks about the risk of getting HIV in unsafe sex.

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 15 >> His partner tested positive with HIV so he prepared himself for being positive also. (Read by an actor.)

He is determined not to let HIV rule his life. He takes Sustiva/Combivir with no current side effects. He exercises and is careful about his diet to stay healthy. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 37 >> Talks about the answer he came up with when he prayed to God to explain why he had got HIV. (Read by an actor.)

He feels that he is a stronger person because of his experience with HIV. He is not currently on medication and had 680 CD4 cells. He now takes care of himself through exercise and diet. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 28 >> Was able to identify the time he seroconverted because he and his partner tested together and his first two tests were negative.

He currently has an undetectable viral load and about 900 CD4 cells. He did not respond well to earlier regimes, but is now doing well on 'salvage therapy,' although his medication has numerous side-effects.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 21 >> He suddenly remembered a drunken incident of unsafe sex just before his seroconversion illness. (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 46-55 >> Interview 05 >> One of his partners did not want to use condoms for anal sex because he thought he either already had HIV or would get HIV. (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 20-30 >> Interview 49 >> HIV is difficult to manage.

Clint progressed to Aids defining illnesses relatively quickly. Fortunately, combination therapy had come in by then, and his original combination (Combivir, efavirenz and nelfinavir) is still effective today.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 27 >> He thinks he became infected with HIV at a time when he was having emotional problems. (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 36-40 >> Interview 03 >> Although his HIV negative partners said they had no problems with HIV, HIV did create problems.

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.