HIV/AIDS Affected Woman

26-years old HIV/AIDS affected woman from the Asian hospital was interviewed on 11-4-02 her husband has died. She was married at 17 years. He was a goldsmith who had gone to Signapore. She said he suffered from tuberculosis even before marriage. She said that she in laws had cheated her. They were aware of his disease but kept it as a secret from her. She in laws carried out her blood test in a very secret way. She has only one child. They are a resident of Cheiyyar. Her inlaws say her husband had the habit of going o tourist spots. He used to go with friends to enjoy life and that had made them suspect his fidelity.

She says suddenly her husband had a change of form, he had tuberculosis and all of a sudden he became dark and had lost weight so she was frightened to be with him. Her child is also affected with him. Child is also affected with HIV/AIDS. She adds that she was tested for HIV/AIDS when she had regular attacks of fever. Her mothers had suspected that her daughter would have acquired the disease from her late son-in-law.

She feels that it was unfortunate that she had lived with her husband only for five years. She also expressed that when she came to know of her disease she had a high heart beat and wept bitterly. After her husband’s death only she was aware of HIV/AIDS through the advertisements.