Brazilian study reports that HIV virus does not prevent relationships

Owning the HIV virus does not prevent a large proportion of HIV positive persons to find and maintain close relationships, according to a study of the Casa da AIDS, Hospital das Clinicas performed with the patients treated. The survey among 3000 people served by the institute revealed that 60% maintained some kind of loving relationship.

And two thirds of them reported that they discuss HIV with their partner. However, 10% still do not disclose their status to their partners.

"While many talk to their partner about their HIV status, there is still a small percentage who have difficulty," said Eliana Gutierrez, director of the Casa da AIDS. She says that with the advent of HAART, AIDS became a chronic disease, which enables the infected can lead a normal life. The finding may be evidenced by the level of integration into the labor market of patients. The survey indicated that only 16% of patients are not employed.

Most of them are men, average age 44 years. They live with the disease for at least 10 years. The use of cocktails is well received by 94% of those attended, which assessed the treatment as good.

There were 5.2 million HIV-infected people on treatment worldwide, according to WHO (World Health Organization). Since 2000 there was a decrease of 90% in the infection from mother to child transmission (vertical transmission), according to the Center for Reference and Training in HIV / AIDS. By 2012, the agency wants to eradicate this form of contagion.

Helton Simões Gomes
Brazil Band...