Subject index 

He believes dealing with multiple difficulties in his life like HIV has made him stronger. He takes Fosamprenavir, Ritonavir, Tenofovir and Emtricitabine (6 tablets once in the evening) with few side effects.
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.)
He was taking saquinavir, ritonavir, tenofovir, and ddI with few side effects. He was also taking Prozac for depression. He had an undetectable viral load. Counselling has helped him to cope.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.)
He was taking saquinavir, ritonavir, tenofovir, and ddI with few side effects. He was also taking Prozac for depression. He had an undetectable viral load. Counselling has helped him to cope.
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.)
Her medication (lamivudine, efavirenz and ddI) brought her viral load down to undetectable, but she has had some side effects like loss of memory, tiredness and nightmares. She does get depressed at times, but has a faith that God is helping her. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Although she was monogamous, her partner was not, and she believes she picked up HIV from him. She has found support groups to be vital in her emotional wellbeing. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)
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.
He was taking saquinavir, ritonavir, tenofovir, and ddI with few side effects. He was also taking Prozac for depression. He had an undetectable viral load. Counselling has helped him to cope.
Although she was monogamous, her partner was not, and she believes she picked up HIV from him. She has found support groups to be vital in her emotional wellbeing. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)
He started treatment soon after diagnosis (efavirenz and Combavir) and his viral load quickly became undetectable and he had few side effects. He resists blaming his life problems on HIV. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.)
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.
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.)

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.


Work and routine

   Support our work

Mail to a friend

Send