Living Well with HIV A Psychological, Social, Medical and Personal Guide

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: What Is The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) And How Does It Affect The Immune System?

Chapter 2: How can I live well with HIV?

Chapter 3: How do I make decisions about sharing my HIV status?

Chapter 4: How can I have a good relationship and how can I be sexually satisfied as a person living with HIV?

Chapter 5: How can I have good relationships with my family and friends as a person living with HIV?

Chapter 6: How Do We Treat HIV And What Are The Challenges?

Chapter 7: What is the best way to grow older with HIV?

Index

Biography

Professor Michael Evangeli is a Clinical Psychologist who began working in the HIV field in the late 1990s. He has worked as a therapist to adults living with HIV in the UK at St. Mary’s and Chelsea & Westminster Hospitals, and has conducted HIV research in the UK, Botswana, US, Uganda and South Africa.

Angelina Namiba has over 26 years of experience working in the HIV sector on different initiatives from support and treatment advocacy to service delivery and informing policy. Originally from Kenya and living with HIV for 30 years, she is a founder member of the 4M Network of Mentor Mothers living with HIV.

Dr. Rachael Jones has been a Consultant Physician in HIV and Genitourinary Medicine at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for almost 20 years. She delivers HIV testing, prevention and treatment services to a diverse population of people living with HIV.

"This book is a compassionate, empowering guide for anyone living with HIV. With expert insights and heartfelt testimonies, it offers practical strategies for navigating diagnosis, stigma, relationships, and mental health. The authors, leaders in HIV care and advocacy, center lived experience and resilience, making this an essential resource for thriving with HIV. It’s not just informative, it’s deeply human and hopeful."

Lord Black of Brentwood Vice Chair All Party Parliamentary Group HIV, AIDS & Sexual Health

"A powerful blend of science, psychology, and personal stories, this book redefines what it means to live well with HIV. It’s written by experts who truly understand the journey, and it speaks directly to the heart. Whether newly diagnosed or long-term positive, readers will find strength, clarity, and community in these pages. A must-read for anyone seeking support, understanding, and empowerment."

Baroness Barker Co Chair All Party Parliamentary Group HIV, AIDS & Sexual Health

“This book is a powerful and essential resource. It centres the voices and lived experiences of people living with HIV, a perspective that remains crucial to our collective health and wellbeing. The combination of psychological insight, medical knowledge, and personal testimony makes it deeply human and empowering.

I am especially proud to see the contribution of my dear friend Angelina Namiba, whose lifelong commitment to peer support and community leadership continues to inspire me and many others. This is more than a guide to living well with HIV : it’s a testament to resilience, hope, and the strength of our community."

Silvia Petretti, CEO, Positively UK

"HIV has been in the world for over 40 years, and while science continues to evolve with better treatment and prevention, the psychosocial support for people living with HIV is still often left behind. This book is a timely reminder that the “H” in HIV stands for Human. It brings together lived experiences, compassion, and evidence-based insights to show that living well with HIV goes beyond medication, it’s about dignity, connection, and healing. A valuable resource that speaks to both heart and science, reminding us that humanity must always lead the HIV response."

Doreen Moraa Moracha, Kenyan storyteller, advocate, and community voice who lives publicly with HIV

“Living Well with HIV: A Psychological, Social, Medical and Personal Guide is an empowering resource for people living with HIV and those supporting and caring for them. It offers comprehensive practical guidance on living well at every stage of the HIV journey—from diagnosis to aging. It blends biomedical and psychological research with deeply personal testimonies from people living with HIV from across the world, whose diverse experiences and perspectives ensure a global relevance. Page by page it fosters an increasing sense of dignity, resilience and empowerment making it an invaluable resource in understanding the personal impact of HIV in today’s world.”

Dr. Anton Pozniak, consultant physician in HIV Medicine at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Professor in the Department of Clinical Research at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK.