title: [Experiences of adolescents seropositive for HIV/AIDS: a qualitative study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Explore the meanings attributed by young individuals about "living as an adolescent with HIV" in a group of patients that acquired the infection at birth and the elements involved with the adherence to antiretroviral treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study, involving 20 subjects (aged 13-20 years), followed at services specialized in the treatment of pediatric Aids in São Paulo, Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were carried out of which script consisted of questions about their personal histories, experiences and difficulties they must face while living with HIV/Aids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Being "normal" and "different" were central issues voiced by the participants. However, a normal life situation is guaranteed by being responsible with one's health, the condition that the diagnosis be kept secret and concerns about HIV transmission and dissemination to a sexual partner. The answers about treatment show that adherence is a dynamic process and involves moments of greater or lesser interest in relation to care for one's health. The adolescents have plans and projects and although HIV is considered a stressor, positive perspectives for the future prevailed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To live as an adolescent with HIV involves subtle dimensions that need to be recognized and legitimized by professionals who follow the trajectory of these young individuals. It is necessary to allow a space in which the adolescents can reflect and find support regarding issues related to the construction of their sexuality and care of one's own body.
authors.affiliation: Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galano
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Egberto Ribeiro
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Turato
authors.affiliation: Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source (HES-SO), Lausanne, Suíça.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delmas
authors.affiliation: Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montreal, Canadá
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.affiliation: Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Aida de Fátima Thomé Barbosa
authors.initials: Ade F
authors.lastname: Gouvea
authors.affiliation: Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Regina Célia de Menezes
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Succi
authors.affiliation: Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Electronic address: daisymmachado@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daisy Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Machado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: Acontecimentos que mudam a vida; Adolescent; Adolescente; HIV infection/psychology; Infecção pelo HIV/psicologia; Life‐changing events; Pesquisa qualitativa; Qualitative research