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Interviewer: Joyce, we are joyful that you accepted the invitation from Red Ribbon Centre to conduct this home visit. The interviewees are a young couple. Husband is HIV positive. Joyce, you are about to go. How do you feel? Joyce: Feeling a bit nervous. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to it. Because I am curious about what dishes they will prepare (laugh). But taking it seriously, I do look forward to it as it's my first time visiting people living with HIV. Furthermore, I would love to hear more about their stories and their daily living. Eunice: Hello Joyce. Joyce: Hi Eunice. Eunice: Welcome to our home. Joyce: Thank you. Ugo: Hi Joyce. Joyce: Hi Ugo, thanks for your hospitality. Ugo: Nice to meet you. Joyce: Yeah! Super: This video is based on a true story. Joyce: I’m hungry, but take your time. Ugo: Ok! I prepare the dinner first. The meal will be ready soon, please have a seat. Joyce: Whoa! Ugo plays basketball so well, and even won awards. Eunice: Yes, he likes sports very much, such as ball games and swimming. Joyce: Oh! That’s so cute! Eunice and Ugo, U equals U means you and him. Eunice: Yes, you got it. Joyce: Do you need a hand? Eunice: Of course not! Guest is not supposed to help. Joyce: No problem, I should help. Eunice: Ok, let’s set the table. Joyce: Ok. Ugo: Joyce, would you mind having dinner with us? Joyce: Of course not. Thank you for sharing your story with everyone. Ugo: That’s great. Joyce: I don’t mind if I do. Ugo: Serve yourself. Joyce: Let's start. Joyce: This is so yummy! Joyce: So, how did you know you were infected with HIV? Ugo: I have to start from two years ago. When we planned to get married, we went for a pre-marital check-up. HIV testing was included in the check-up package. That's how I knew I was infected. Fortunately, we practised safer sex all along. That’s why Eunice didn't get infected. Joyce: You must have been facing a big challenge in all aspects of your life including your emotions after you were diagnosed. Ugo: The mood swung. We almost broke up. My world was falling apart at the beginning. It was really hard to accept. I didn’t know why I was infected. Afterward, it turned out that I was infected by my ex-girlfriend. I was in a bad mood and took it out on Eunice. Without her, kept staying with me, I think it would be tough for me to go through it. Eunice: You still need to get through by yourself. Ugo: No. I can't do it without you. Joyce: Oh my goodness! I know you are loving couple. Cheers! Joyce: So, how did you deal with HIV infection after you went through the tough time with Eunice? Ugo: After I was diagnosed, I did a lot of researches. By taking medications consistently, attending follow-up regularly and adhering to the regimen, I found that it is not that difficult to control the disease. The hardest part is how we adjust our mentality to face HIV infection. I was stressful at first. When I went for a check-up at the hospital, I was afraid that someone I knew would know about my status. Gradually, I started to adjust my mentality. Then I got used to it. Joyce: How did the people around you react? Ugo: Some of my teammates were exaggerated. If they know I’m playing at the court, they won't show up. Before I was infected with HIV, we used to play several games per week. I understand that many people don't know much about this disease which leads to misunderstanding. So we start explaining the disease to the people around us. Joyce: I agree. We should put more effort to eliminate discrimination against HIV. Ugo: I do volunteer work in my spare time to disseminate HIV knowledge to others. Eunice used to do volunteer work with me in HIV organisation. But recently, I want her to take more rest. Ugo: It’s fine to announce the news after three months. Joyce: Oh my god! Are you guys pregnant? Ugo: I have to thank goodness if our baby looks like mother. Eunice: It doesn't matter who the baby looks alike. It is more important that it grows up healthily. I'm really grateful that we come to this stage and are carrying a baby now. I remember when we were planning to have a child, I was afraid that HIV will be transmitted to our baby. At that moment, doctors explained to us what does “U equals U” mean. Joyce: I know this too. “U = U” means “Undetectable equals Untransmittable”. Eunice: You are so smart, Joyce. Many people don't know what “U = U” is. Joyce: I think U=U, the phrase "Undetectable equals Untransmittable" should be promoted, especially for those who don't know about HIV. Maybe they just hear this concept for the first time. Ugo: You're right, Joyce. Not so many people know it is proven that people living with HIV receive effective antiretroviral therapy, which also called “the cocktail therapy”, consistently to keep viral load at an undetectable level. Practically, there is no chance of passing on the virus through sex. In other words, it is "Undetectable = Untransmittable" Eunice: Attributing to Ugo got diagnosed and started treatment early, I'm not infected by HIV. It turns out I am pregnant. Joyce: I would like to know if a pregnant woman herself is infected with HIV, is there any treatment to protect her baby from HIV infection? Eunice: Yes, pregnant women with HIV can control the disease by taking medications so as to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to her baby. Ugo: I really want to encourage people living with HIV through our story to stay optimistic and treat HIV early. Although there is as yet no cure for HIV infection, it is surely controllable. People living with HIV just like everyone else. They can play ball games, swim, have meals with others, or start a family. I hope the public can reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. Joyce: Your family must be able to let the public understand the concept of U equals U. Joyce: Many thanks to both of you for sharing your stories with me. And...I didn’t expect you cook so well! I think I'll be here again for dinner soon. Eunice: Please come again to visit our baby later. Joyce: Sure. Joyce: Have you decided the name of your baby yet? Interviewer: The home visit was over. How do you feel, Joyce? Joyce: That was a special night. I hope people can understand more about "Undetectable = Untransmittable" after watching this video, and have no more discrimination against HIV. People living with HIV can have their own life plan like everyone else. So I hope people can show their support to people living with HIV. Voice over: If one day, your friends or family members tell you that they are infected with HIV, how will you react? |