Living with AIDS

By Kristina Dell

To many, the face of AIDS is that of an emaciated victim on her deathbed. But more and more people with AIDS now lead healthy lives because of antiretroviral drugs (ARVS). Thanks in part to organizations like the Global Fund, 3 million patients in developing countries receive ARVS. In a project titled "Access to Life," eight photographers from the Magnum Photos agency have captured images of patients before and after receiving treatment, providing a rare glimpse at how lives around the world are being transformed. For more pictures, go to time.com/access

Satyaveni Kamadi India

Photos, above: March 2008

Photo, right: December 2007

Kamadi, 23, lives in a fishing port on the east coast of India with her husband and 4-year-old daughter. All three are stricken with HIV. Kamadi learned she had AIDS in late 2005, when pregnant with her second child, which she aborted. Having been on ARVS, Kamadi now feels stronger, especially psychologically. Though she suffers bouts of depression, she has sought out a women's support group and meets regularly with these newfound friends. The group has given her an active social life and an even more valuable gift: self-confidence.

Autha Adolph Haiti

Photo, above: December 2007

Photos, right: April 2008

Adolph, 26, arrived at the Zanmi Lasante Hospital in Thomonde, Haiti, so ravaged from advanced AIDS that doctors gave her days to live. At just 75 lb. (34 kg), she was covered in sores and couldn't walk, and her digestive system had practically shut down. But after 2 1/2 months of arv treatments, Adolph is no longer just clinging to life. Her wounds have healed, and she has enough energy to walk a mile to get water, babysit, help with chores and even do occasional fieldwork. She lives with her brother, his wife and their six children. "I'm here, and God didn't give me a receipt telling me how long I'll live," she says, "but I am still here."