Life Factors and Contracting HIV

In this unscripted interview, Dr. Kuhn discusses the factors patients say contributed to their contracting HIV. Patients have cited rejection by their families, low self-esteem, longing for love, disconnection from their religious community, alienation from God, and boredom as factors contributing to contracting HIV. Recreational use of Viagra and crystal methamphetamine may contribute to further transmission after becoming HIV positive. She also discusses how physicians can more fully contribute to their patients' well-being by talking with them about their lives as a whole and their value as a human being instead of just narrowly focusing on specific symptoms, conditions, and medications.