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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Prejudice, stigma and discrimination >> Prejudice, stigma and discrimination

Prejudice, stigma and discrimination 

• Clip
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 19 >> Proved to himself that HIV discrimination can still exist in the gay community.

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 06 >> HIV positive can be judged as having been 'promiscuous', which is unfair.

He is currently receiving psychotherapy, mainly for his HIV diagnosis and sexual assault. On benefits, he keeps himself busy, and is positive about life and returning to work.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 20-30 >> Interview 47 >> Talks about how HIV was dealt with in her church, and how it began to shift attitudes and stigma. (Read by an actor.)

H47 is currently on nevirapine and Combivir with few side-effects. Attending a number of support groups is a good way for her to gain information, network and get training. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 40 >> The advice she received from a lady in a support group in Africa helped her to remain optimistic she would survive.

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 51 >> He does not pose a risk to people in everyday life and he does not feel he should tell everyone about his HIV. (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 46-55 >> Interview 01 >> Explains that listening to others can begin to break down prejudices.

A long term survivor who has done a considerable amount of voluntary work in Aids, uses complementary health approaches, and is concerned about HIV discrimination and stigma.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 31 >> Support groups can replace communities for Africans and help people to see a future. (Read by an actor.)

While he did not become very ill with HIV, his GP proposed HIV testing when he had skin rashes in 2000. An early diagnosis meant it was possible for his health to be monitored. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 46-55 >> Interview 07 >> Black African men work anti-social hours and face work-place discrimination. (Read by an actor.)

He was admitted to hospital with PCP (Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia) and was diagnosed with HIV in 2000. He is involved in helping black African men. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 36-40 >> Interview 12 >> Argues that prosecutions of people for HIV transmission stigmatises him as a potential criminal.

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 18 >> While shocked about her HIV status, her sister was a health professional with experience in HIV, and did not treat her badly. (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 20-30 >> Interview 49 >> Believes that in the current social climate, young gay men in particular can feel ashamed by HIV.

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 41-45 >> Interview 22 >> Appeals to people of 'mixed heritage' to overcome stigma and ignorance for their own surivival.

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 31-35 >> Interview 18 >> Has decided to gradually introduce the topic of her HIV status to her child. (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 34 >> Makes an appeal to the community explaining why HIV should be discussed openly and not stigmatised. (Read by an actor.)

His wife took the news about his HIV very badly and their relationship broke up. He felt depressed and had suicidal thoughts. The care of HIV clinic staff and support groups were very important to his survival. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

• Condition
• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> HIV

Publication date: November 2006          Last updated: September 2010

Review date: September 2012

 

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection attacks the body's immune system. We interviewed 50 people about their experiences of HIV infection. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.