Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - December 1, 2004
Amir Reza, an Iranian who contracted Aids through transfusions for a blood disorder, talks about how he has been managing his illness for the past year.
My physical condition has not changed, or at least not for the worse, since last year.
I am on medication but, because I buy anti-retroviral drugs from abroad and have not had to use the generic types produced inside Iran, I am in a better state than other patients.
And dealing with the psychological aspects of this disease depends on your personal attitude.
Prejudice remains
My outlook on my condition has not changed since last year.
Everybody around me, including my colleagues and friends, know about my condition.
However, as I said a year ago, people are still not aware or educated about HIV/Aids.
Although the general public has heard more about Aids and is equipped with more information about the disease itself, their view of those who have contracted the HIV virus or live with Aids is still the same.
One cannot expect a drastic change in people's attitudes on such a sensitive issue in the course of only one year.
Nevertheless, the authorities have changed their attitude towards HIV positive people.
Good examples of this change are the events held for World Aids day.
These events started on Monday and will run for a week. They are organised by different groups affiliated to Aids projects in Iran, including UNAids.
Among the speakers we have had some women living with HIV who shared their views.
Becoming involved
In the past year, I have been active in raising public awareness about Aids in other ways.
Nine months ago, I started working with Unicef and I currently hold the post of HIV information adviser at its office in Tehran.
With the help of a number of physicians, I have also set up a website on Aids.
It includes medical aspects such as discussion of the sexual transmission of HIV/Aids which is considered a taboo subject.
It also provides the latest figures in Iran. It will be launched very soon.
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