Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : November 26, 2014 5:24 PM IST
We all know that HIV is a debilitating disease that is still prevalent in India. While lack of awareness is the key reason for the rising cases of HIV, people's perception and misconceptions about the condition is the prime factor that needs to be changed to ensure every individual looks at this condition in a positive way. Here are five real life stories of people who never thought they might suffer from HIV until they were diagnosed with the condition.
The girl who lost everything with one blood transfusion
Tina Malhotra, was a 20-year-old woman (name changed) leading a life on her own terms with zest and happiness. She actively participated in all cultural fests and even represented her college in her teens in few inter-collegiate events. A free-bird as people would say, she made no compromises and adjustments with her life until one day when she fell ill. On consulting a doctor, she was diagnosed with a viral infection. But as her condition started to worsen, she was advised to undergo blood transfusion and a few days later she returned to her normal life.
Two years later, she experienced a sore throat and a headache which took more than a month to subside. Although Tina was leading her life with same energy, she also suffered from oral thrush. The doctor suspected that her immune system was severely affected, and when she visited her family doctor the next time he suggested a series of tests. He also spoke to her about her personal life. On further examination, the doctor ordered few blood tests. The day, 14th December 2004, changed her life forever as her reports showed a HIV positive status clearly marked in yellow. Although numerous questions like How?, When, Why? bombarded her, all she could think about was how her life had come to end.
Now: Year 2014. Currently, Tina is working as an HIV educator and is leading her life as normally as the condition allows. For her, braving the societal stigma is the biggest challenge that she has taken on head long.
A man whose choices might be blamed
A 30-year-old gay man, Nimish Iyer (name changed) was finding his status as a gay man quite difficult to handle in a country that has still not legalized the practice. As Nimish was clearly aware of the fact that he doesn't fit into the community, he was leading his life as normally as he could. Although he was mentally drained at first, he eventually started to mingle with people with similar tastes and started to enjoy his life to the fullest.
Everything was slowly falling in place for Nimish -- his job, finances, boyfriends and an active sexual life. He was happy as finally he was leading a life that he always wished for. As days passed by, he started to feel lethargic and was easily exhausted coupled with sudden weight loss. As the symptoms were quite similar to diabetes, he got tested for it. The results showed his blood sugar levels were within the normal range and hence, diabetes was ruled out.
Although he was leading life normally, he felt that something was wrong as he was not the same as he used to be. Suffering from health complications every now and then coupled with decreased immunity, he went to a doctor. After conducting few diagnostic tests and clinical examination, his doctor suggested that Nimish get tested for HIV, for which he Nimish tested positive.
Now: Year 2014. As other people in his community, Nimish is happy that he dealing with HIV in a positive way and is making every attempt to enjoy life to the fullest.
The business man who won and lost everything
Dinesh Kadam (name changed), a business man and socially active person had everything in life. Right from name, fame, freedom to happiness, enjoyment and parties, he lived his life to the fullest. As being socially active is the prime requirement to take your business to the next level by getting in touch with like-minded people and industry veterans. Meeting several people and spending quality time with them was quite common for him. Apart from being active on social profiles, he used to take care of his well being by eating healthy and exercising regularly.
Although there was no place for any long-term health problems in Dinesh s life, he started to experience mild bout of illness on a regular basis. In addition of frequent fever, he suffered from sudden changes in weight, persistent skin rashes (especially around the genital area) and lethargy. He consulted a doctor and underwent check-ups only to know that nothing was wrong with his health and these were symptoms of vital infections that might subside gradually.
But with no significant improvement in his condition over a span of eight months, he consulted another doctor. The doctor recommended few blood tests and later confirmed that he was HIV positive. Although he was shocked to know about the condition, he later thought that following precautions might have tagged him HIV negative.
Now: Year 2014. Being a businessman, Dinesh has accepted the bare truth of his life and leading his life in a positive way.
The mother-to-be who was cheated
Mishti Chatterjee, was the only girl child of the Chatterjee family. She grew up as an adored and pampered child in her family. Right from her school years till her college days, she lived her life in her own terms. Life was a pleasurable roller-coaster ride for her. And finally the day came when she got married. As luck would have it, her in laws were as sweet as her parents and from day one it was like everything simply fell into place for her.
Few months later, she got to know that she was pregnant. Mishti was very happy as it was time to take their relationship to the next level and the feeling of being a mother has just started. In the year 2007, when she was in her eighth month of pregnancy, she visited a gynecologist for a routine pregnancy check-up. The doctor suspected some flaws in her reports and recommended her to undergo few more blood tests. Everything was fine, until she tested positive for HIV. The world shifted from under her feet and she felt as though all hell had broken loose. What made matters worse was the fact that her husband was the carrier of the disease, and she could do nothing to get rid of the condition.
Now: Year 2014. Mishti has now divorced her husband and is currently staying with her family. Although, she is undergoing treatment for the deadly disease, her seven year old son is her life.
The innocent child who knew too less
When asked about what is best and most memorable moment of one's life? Most of us might reply the time when we were born. The childhood memories are the moments that are close to everyone's heart. But, the life of a 14 -year- old boy named Akshat is an exception to this. This is because, he never enjoyed his parents love and affection nor did he live a happy life.
Akshat s mother died of HIV when he was four, and little did he know what the disease was. Two years later, his father went to a HIV centre near to their place, as living with the condition was miserable. Born to HIV positive parents and with none of them to take care of him, Akshat was left alone to bear the brunt of society. Knowing about his poor status and being orphaned at a young age of 7, he was brought up in an orphanage.
When he was 12, he suffered from frequent fever and infections. The authorities knew about his family history and informed the doctor about the same. Akshat underwent some diagnostic tests recommended by the doctor and as expected, the reports were HIV positive. When he searched online about the condition, it was then that he knew, he was born with HIV.
Now: Year 2014. Although life is not the same for Akshat as children of his age, he has dealt with the condition with courage. His only aim in life is to become a doctor and serve the society.
Here is what one should know about HIV in India:
According to NACO (the National Institute of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Statistics), India had 2.3 million cases of HIV positive in 2011. Although the number of people infected with HIV have significantly reduced (almost by 50%) in the last decade, the disease is still prevalent in major states of the nation. This is why, it is important to know everything about AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). Apart from this, every individual should keep in mind that HIV has no social barrier and can affect anyone and everyone. Hence, it is our duty to follow strict precautionary measures and prevent the spread of HIV.
Image Source: Getty Images
For more articles on diseases & conditions, visit our diseases & conditions section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.
