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• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 23 >> When he got better he felt he had wasted time thinking he was worthless and should die. (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 56-65 >> Interview 29 >> He takes 'drug holidays' and lives with the consequences.

He currently takes Kaletra, tenofovir, 3TC and has an undetectable viral load. He has suffered from painful peripheral neuropathy and uses visualisation and meditation to control the pain.

• Chronic health issues >> HIV >> Aged 41-45 >> Interview 02 >> Because the medication works he can get on with life and not think so much about HIV.

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 28 >> He has few anti- HIV drug options left and so is careful about taking medication.

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 >> He put up with diarrhoea and painful feet on his new combination because it worked so well.

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.