Question
Literature about people who refuse to take ARVs
3 October 2007. Related: All topics.
Is there any literature about people who decide not to take ARV therapy? Their thoughts and experiences, such as how they came to their decision and coped with dying?
Answer
Your question could relate to anyone who chooses not to receive medical treatment rather than HIV-specifically. With HIV it usually only applies to end-of-life issues when treatment is no longer working. In practice, most people in the world are trying to get access to treatment, or to treatments that work against drug resistance, and are fighting for this access to become wider.
i-Base supports use of ARVs and the chance for people to have a normal life span.
Hi Gift,
i-base are a treatment advocacy organisation, we aren’t really a support organisation. So our help will be minimal.
Being is teenager is hard and that’s when you don’t have health issues. This could be your nieces way of rebelling.
Depending on where you live, there may be a children HIV organisation. It may be worth contacting someone from there and asking if they are in a position to help. Sometimes people who are positive, regardless of their age just need someone to talk to who will understand their situation.
I have a niece who was born HIV positive and has been on anti-retrovirals for as long as she lives. She is now a teenager and is refusing to take the pills.
She lives with her grand mother who is turning 70 very soon and is not able to cope with this. She has tried to go to social workers but unfortunately the girl still refuses to take the treatment.
What advise can you give us please.
Regards