Living with the HIV virus is as normal as living with any chronic condition, according to a Health Department nurse who specialises in this area.In an interview with Body & Soul nurse Kim Ball said locals who have the virus are leading regular lives and taking care of their health.The belief that those who have the virus are on death's door is completely inaccurate, according to Ms Ball. She said as long as they take their medications, those who have the HIV virus can, and do, live productive lives. In fact those with the virus are just as likely to die from a heart attack or other condition never developing Aids at all.And you may find it surprising, but Ms Ball said partnered relationships with people who do not have the virus, is common. Some HIV positive people have even married people who do not have the virus. In Bermuda Ms Ball said she knows of at least five such cases.“It's not a big deal to both of them that their partner is HIV positive,” she said. “It's no different than chronic diabetes, or chronic hypertension, she added. “We want to send the message that when you are HIV positive, you don't have to fear death, you can live with this and your life does not have to be abnormal. Partners are accepting and it's not a big issue to them.”However unlike diabetes and hypertension, the HIV virus is contagious. Someone who tests positive for the virus can pass it on to someone else. But not in the same way that the common cold or influenza are passed on the virus is not transmitted in casual contact with others. Neither is it airborne.It is transmitted by direct contact with the blood or bodily fluid of an infected person. For this reason those with the virus must always use a condom when having sex.According to Ms Ball uninfected partners of HIV positive people have remained free from the virus by practicing safe sex or abstaining from sex altogether.“Condoms have to be used during sex,” she said. “There are some products that are in trials, but so far they only work on a small percentage of people, some of the time.”None of the products being tested is available on the consumer market.Of course a balanced life is needed for wellness and while sex is a healthy part of adult life, it should not be everything.According to Ms Ball locals with HIV can live and should expect to live, well rounded lives.“Being able to work, educate themselves, being drug free, being confident and secure and not allowing HIV to be who they are, seeing it as just something that they have, is living healthily with the virus,” she said.In fact some women infected with the virus even decide to give birth to children. According to Ms Ball the days of having a fatalistic view of having the virus really should be over.“I think it's good you can have children and expect to see them into college,” she said. “There are no limits to what you can do now if you take your medications correctly and follow up with your physician. You can have a normal life.”The most recent Health Department statistics (figures in April 2011) show that are 297 people living with the HIV virus on the Island.