SAMVAD- MUKTAA HIV Helpline – Blog

A Family in Gujarat State killed by HIV? NO – killed by Humiliation, killed by Ignorance, killed by Fear!
30 years into HIV epidemic and still such a bizarre and hair raising incidence!
But there is other side TOO! Here was a caller, very anxious for his 60 years old HIV+ve mother- his father died with HIV.
All the family knew of her HIV status. He was only worried as she was having side effects of ART. Wanted to know if the doctors will shift her to 2nd line ART, and whether they have more side effects. He was getting her treatment from private clinic. He loved his mother and
knew that there is no cure but he wanted to make her life less painful as long as he can. At the same time he wanted to know if there is any risk to the children in the house. In case of any accident can children also be given PEP? The caller was very satisfied with the information and support given by the counselor. But the counselor was very touched by the callers love and concern about his mother!
Here was another caller who called to know when to start ART for a 11 year old boy?
He told following story—“I am an hotelier by profession. Some twelve years back a teenage girl came asking for some work, she was alone and pregnant. She did not tell much about herself. Then she delivered a baby boy. I admitted her for delivery in the hospital. After one year she started falling ill. When admitted to the hospital she was tested for HIV and the test was +ve. Before we could start any treatment she died. The baby was hardly 2 years old. I did not know about the
relatives, and I could not leave the baby as we were attached to him by now. The baby was also HIV+ve. He is our family member now. He is 11 years old now. Our family doctor advised of starting
ART. I don’t want the boy to know about his status nor do I wish to take ART in Govt.Hospital as others will know about this. I do not wish him to have any mental stress at his tender age”..
Without any blood relation here was a person so loving, caring, willing to do everything for HIS adopted boy! Such calls give us HOPE!

A couple wanted to indulge in a sexual fantasy. They wanted a threesome with a woman after realizing that they were sexually bored. Over 8 months, they thought over their need and decided it was time to give into it. They approached a woman, who agreed and the couple didn’t inquire of her sexual history.
The man who called stated that they had established trust. It wasn’t until recently that the other woman in the picture had begun to avoid the couple that it had occurred to the couple that she might be involved with another man. Since they hadn’t been inquisitive earlier, they were hesitant in asking now. If the woman had another sexual partner she was putting both of them at risk for HIV or any other sexually transmitted diseases.
The counselor informed him that he needed to voice his concern with the woman and that if she has another sexual partner then the couple need to re-consider continuing this threesome.
Any queries on HIV/AIDS/STDS?
Gives us a call. We’re an anonymous service.

They say curiosity killed the cat. But what happens when the cat stays curious for 5 years? One of the calls the helpline received was on these lines. The caller, male had not used in a condom in his last sexual encounter- which was 5 years ago with a woman who he was in love with. He tested himself the next day after he had had sex with the woman.
He was emotionally hurt by his sexual partner and was taken advantage of. Even after 5 years post the incident, he was unable to forget the event and was stuck on it. The HIV fear was still there and that was making him think about the consequences that he would have to face.
The call lasted for about 35 minutes in which he was counseled to move on in life by taking the ELISA test one last time to confirm if his worst fear were indeed true or not.
If he didn’t have HIV, then his bright life that lies ahead of him- could now be with purpose. Purpose of living it with a laugh- that he truly deserves.

An HIV positive man called the helpline mistaking it to be a hospital. He had been particularly interested to know if a cure for HIV had been found. He narrated his story to the helpline which has put most of us here curious about his case. He had never been involved with any other woman except his wife, who is now 4 months pregnant. The couple are not willing to abort the child but willing to prevent the spread of the disease by taking necessary precautions. Both-husband and wife are undertaking treatment at the moment and the husband is part of a support group and takes training programs.

The risk for an unborn child is high. If the couple doesn’t decide about the child soon, the child will have to face several obstacles. What do you think the couple should do?

Do you have a similar case? We’re more than happy to clarify your doubts. Call us on-
We’re an anonymous service and open all days for your queries.

It was one of oddest calls that morning. A man frantically called up to find out if HIV can be transmitted from one human being if one infected person bit another person. HIV is not a communicable disease. It is a sexually transmitted disease. The vector for the transmission is completely different from that of other communicable diseases. Like for instance- cold, cough, fever are transmitted through since germs and bacteria gets transferred through touch.

Diseases like Cholera and Typhoid are transmitted by water. Hence, they are also termed water-borne diseases. HIV is NOT transmitted by touch/water/air. It is a *SEXUALLY* transmitted disease. Which is why, discussing about HIV is so essential in our country where talking about sex itself is a taboo.

Any doubts on HIV/AIDS?

Gives us a call on- 020-020-26381234 (Pune) or 0612-2575757(Bihar).
We’re an anonymous service and are open all days for your queries.

Often at the helpline, we have callers who call us more than once to confirm their doubts or to thank us. One particular caller informed us that he had been spending a lot of time online searching for information. He had been too worried about HIV because his previous sexual partner called him saying she’s HIV positive. He clarified to the counselor that he was sexually active with another lady who was not his wife.
He had been losing his mind over this fact because he wishes to start a family and wasn’t willing to risk his wife. The counselor patiently heard him and convinced him to get a test done without further delay and not waste his time looking for more information.
We did receive another call from him confirming that he was NOT HIV positive and was glad that Samvad helped him at the right time.

P.S: We dedicate this blog to the team of counselors at the helpline.

The caller, male had sexual encounter with someone after getting drunk. He didn’t know how to react over the incident since his marriage of 15 years had never witnessed any such incident. Him cheating on his wife had begun to make him feel guilty. He explained to the counselor the situation at home where he is presently unemployed and his wife is the sole bread earner of the family. The whole incident has made him regret his decision while he was not in his senses. The caller has called the helpline three times- each time confirming about his decision to commit suicide.

Our counselor explained to him about not hurrying into any decision that can influence his or his family’s future. He had not tested himself and was concluding that he had HIV. His constant recollection of the night’s activities was making him shudder about confessing to his wife. The guilt was quite obvious throughout the call.

After a lot of effort, he was convinced to go test himself first and then confide in his wife. He agreed with silence. This brings us to an important point- Is the guilt worth that sexual pleasure?