Interview 02

Age at interview: 41
Age at diagnosis: 38
Brief Outline: 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.
Background: Living in a city outside of London he was diagnosed with HIV in mid-2002. He developed tuberculosis shortly after diagnosis.
More about me...
Age at interview' 41
Age at diagnosis' 38
Sex' Male
Background' A 41 year old gay man living in a city outside of London who was diagnosed with HIV in mid-2002, when he presented with weight loss.
Outline' A 41 year old gay man living in a city outside of London who was diagnosed with HIV in mid-2002, when he presented with weight loss. He developed tuberculosis shortly after diagnosis. Now on efavirenz and Combivir, his CD4 cells have climbed from below 300 to over 500 at interview, and he had an undetectable viral load at interview. He has suffered a few side-effects (nightmares and night sweats). He tended to isolate himself at first, but has had counseling to deal with past family issues, and was looking forward to getting back to work.
Age at diagnosis' 38
Sex' Male
Background' A 41 year old gay man living in a city outside of London who was diagnosed with HIV in mid-2002, when he presented with weight loss.
Outline' A 41 year old gay man living in a city outside of London who was diagnosed with HIV in mid-2002, when he presented with weight loss. He developed tuberculosis shortly after diagnosis. Now on efavirenz and Combivir, his CD4 cells have climbed from below 300 to over 500 at interview, and he had an undetectable viral load at interview. He has suffered a few side-effects (nightmares and night sweats). He tended to isolate himself at first, but has had counseling to deal with past family issues, and was looking forward to getting back to work.
What it felt like going for a HIV test result.
What it felt like going for a HIV test result.
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Why is that?
It felt as if I'd like' As soon as I walked in to the hospital I was like walking on the, a sheet of thin ice. I thought well it's either' I am either going to get all of the way across it and survive or otherwise I mean it's going to break in. And that's it. And, and, what, what was' What I'm trying to say about that is, is that if, if, if there's bad news I'm going to go under. And if it's good news I'm going to stay on the top.
How he deals with his anxiety about his health.
How he deals with his anxiety about his health.
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I mean it's like this morning, when I was on my way to come and see you. I don't know whether it's, whether it's because of the changing in the atmosphere, high pressure or low pressure, I think that's probably has something to do with it. But I felt a little bit sort of like breathless. But I think that's because I suffer from anxiety, you know. But no, I, I thought to myself well let, let's play it at its own game. You know, I mean why should this things stop me from going out or, or doing anything I want to do?
How he thought about his future when first diagnosed.
How he thought about his future when first diagnosed.
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Explains why he has decided to stick to his current combination of HIV medication.
Explains why he has decided to stick to his current combination of HIV medication.
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Because the medication works he can get on with life and not think so much about HIV.
Because the medication works he can get on with life and not think so much about HIV.
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He wants to avoid passing HIV on to anyone, and he may choose a HIV positive partner.
He wants to avoid passing HIV on to anyone, and he may choose a HIV positive partner.
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The only, the case is' The only difference here is that if I, if I do ever go with anyone, it will probably more likely be someone who is also HIV positive. Because I wouldn't want to run the risk.
My, my conscience wouldn't allow me to do anything like that. You know.