Abstract
Introduction
The study sought to identify the knowledge of women affected by HTLV about the infection, in addition to describing the illness experience and limitations imposed by the virus.
Method
This is a descriptive research with a qualitative approach. Participants were 12 women affected by HTLV receiving care at the Infectious Diseases Ambulatory of a university hospital in Salvador (BA) and the Center for Counseling and Testing in Santo Antonio de Jesus (BA). The analysis took place from the collective subject discourse.
Results
The results show that there is a remarkable ignorance about the HTLV. The illness is evident from the pain, impairment of the lower limbs and relaxation of sphincters. HTLV imposes limitations in daily activities and causes changes in daily life and experiences of HIV positive women.
Conclusion
The empirical data confirm the importance of studies, analysis and discussion of the HTLV for the development of policies and strategies for coping disease resulting from infection.
Keywords:
HTLV; chronic illness; nursing