Objective:

To describe in depth the experience of people with HIV during the process of treatment and care in health institutions.

Materials and methods:

Grounded theory design with in-depth interviews to 11 people with HIV who attended ambulatory care programs in Cali, Colombia.

Results:

Central category: living with HIV as a life changing motor and 6 categories: experiencing the symptoms; suspecting the diagnosis; getting information about being a carrier of HIV; experiencing existential crisis; the power of the emotions; recognizing the goodness of the medicines and getting social support: considered a fundamental aspect.

Conclusion:

The participants, upon receiving the diagnosis, experienced existential and emotional crisis that with help from family members, health personnel, couples and peers, made it easier to become aware of their current status and accept their situation; theirs habits became healthy and the belief in a superior being was reaffirmed.

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