Living Well with HIV by Evangeli, Michael; Namiba, Angelina; Jones, Rachael;

Short description:

Living Well with HIV: A Psychological Social Medical and Personal Guide aims to empower people living with HIV worldwide to thrive while addressing the critical need to reduce HIV stigma. 

Long description:

Living Well with HIV: A Psychological Social Medical and Personal Guide aims to empower people living with HIV worldwide to thrive while addressing the critical need to reduce HIV stigma. It integrates the latest global research and experiences of people living with HIV, so that they and their partners, friends and families can face key HIV challenges with resilience and embrace strategies for living well.

Following an effective Q&A framework, the book summarises biomedical and psychological knowledge about the condition and its treatment and provides practical guidance on how to live with HIV. People living with HIV are at the heart of the book, within the authorship team, through personal testimonies from those with lived experience in different global regions, and in the person-centred content. The book contains chapters on HIV information, living with HIV, sharing an HIV status, sex and relationships, family and friends, treatment and care, and growing older with HIV. It offers support regardless of age, income level, sexuality or gender, whilst explicitly acknowledging the impact of intersectionality and systemic social inequalities.

Designed for people living with HIV, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals, this book serves as an invaluable resource for counsellors, mental health practitioners, and health and social care workers.

"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."

“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.

Table of Contents:

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