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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty
Published on: July 24, 2013
The experience of uncertainty for individuals with HIV/AIDS and the palliative care paradigm
1Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Pinewood Surgery, Shepherds Drive, Ipswich, IP8 3SL, UK.
Abstract:
This small qualitative study investigated the lived experience of individuals with HIV/AIDS, exploring the uncertainty related to episodes of life-threatening illness followed by recovery, 'revival'. The themes that emerged related to the unpredictability of when death would occur. The participants described the dilemma of living with a chronic illness with a totally unpredictable disease trajectory. Following periods of being extremely unwell, individuals would then recover and experience periods of relative well-being, only to succumb to another infection later. The findings highlighted the uncertainty that pervades all aspects of HIV-positive individuals' lives as they face death. An awareness of this may be important in those offering palliative care to those with HIV/AIDS.
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