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Fighting the stigma of HIV in India

Babu. " During 1982/3 I was having a love affair with a girl, who unknown to me at the time started using drugs. At that time we were not aware of anything about HIV and AIDS. In 1984 I started feeling unwell. In 1985 I was having diarrhoea, and although I had some treatment, it was non-stop throughout the year. I also had fever and developed TB. I had a severe loss of weight and couldn't take food. I also started to loose my memory. I was very sick. I was taken to five different hospitals before we found one that would accept me. I was told thatI would not survive for more than half an hour. While I was unconcious in hospital they did an HIV test and told my family I had AIDS. The doctore explained everything to my family and that helped a lot. A kind of miracle happened and I survived. When I was discharged I weighed only 28kgs. My older brother could lift me with onehand. Now I weigh 86 kgs. I have regained my strength and started to work with other positive people, visiting people in hospitals, helping with burials and councelling families. I have come out to group members but to come out to the general public is difficult. India is not ready for that. I have a sister due to be married and I don't want to do anything to compromise her. My family have been so supportive and I don't want them to be affected because I have HIV."

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Fighting the Stigma in India
Babu. " During 1982/3 I was having a love affair with a girl, who unknown to me at the time started using drugs. At that time we were not aware of anything about HIV and AIDS. In 1984 I started feeling unwell. In 1985 I was having diarrhoea, and although I had some treatment, it was non-stop throughout the year. I also had fever and developed TB. I had a severe loss of weight and couldn't take food. I also started to loose my memory. I was very sick. I was taken to five different hospitals before we found one that would accept me. I was told thatI would not survive for more than half an hour. While I was unconcious in hospital they did an HIV test and told my family I had AIDS. The doctore explained everything to my family and that helped a lot. A kind of miracle happened and I survived. When I was discharged I weighed only 28kgs. My older brother could lift me with onehand. Now I weigh 86 kgs. I have regained my strength and started to work with other positive people, visiting people in hospitals, helping with burials and councelling families. I have come out to group members but to come out to the general public is difficult. India is not ready for that. I have a sister due to be married and I don't want to do anything to compromise her. My family have been so supportive and I don't want them to be affected because I have HIV."
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