Portadores de VIH/SIDA e HCC: dar voz a relatos de sofrimento

it is undeniable that being diagnosed with a chronic disease sets numerous implications. however, the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (aids) seems to have a particular impact on the person？s life and relationships, especially if considering the stigma associated to it. being in touch with these individuals made us realize that, even when hospitalized due to complications related to hepatitis, they tend to blame the hiv instead of the chronic hepatitis c (chc). the main psychological condition found in all patients was, unexpec-tedly, anxiety, given the fact that literature places depression as the most frequent psychological symptom associated to hiv/aids, not having found any similar information relating to chc. the qualitative methodology we applied meant to give this article an exploratory, descriptive and analytical outline of the experiences of 17 hiv/aids and chc infected, to whom we gave voice to express their physical, psychological and social anguish.