My daily work...

Here is just one story out of hundreds that I heard at my work. It is the true story of an HIV-patient that is currently admitted to our hospital. But stories like these are very common among the infected people.

The family consists of husband, wife (stepmother of the kids), a son (7 yrs) and a daughter (9 yrs). His wife had prolonged weakness and therefore went to a doctor. After some time they found out that she was HIV-positive. She got sick very fast and also developed tuberculosis (which is still the biggest killer of people in developing countries). She was admitted to our hospital for TB-treatment on the infectious ward, because when someone with HIV develops TB the immunsystem gets even weaker, which leads to faster progress of HIV to fullblown Aids. The husband decided to take care of his wife and he and his two children moved in on the ward. The husband got TB as well. The mother´s condition of TB got better, but she developed mental problems. She was transfered to a mental hospital. 2 weeks ago the mother commited suicide. Now the husband is alone with his kids. He finally decided to get tested for HIV - he is positive. The kids were sent to an institution so that they no longer had to stay on the infectious ward and run the risk of developing TB. But the daughter had already developed TB. The last couple of days she was in our hospital to get treatment. She looked much better today. Luckily the kids are not HIV-positive. But still, what lives lie ahead????