Seb tests positive for HIV
HE HAS THE VIRUS – AND SO COULD FAYE…
Seb’s fall from a ladder leads to a shocking discovery this week – as doctors give him the news that he’s Hiv-positive. The lad is being treated for his injuries in hospital, and is lucky to have survived the tumble. But all thoughts of his accident are quickly eclipsed when he wakes up to news that hits him harder than he could ever have imagined…
“Seb is thinking, ‘Why? How? This can’t be real’,” shares actor Harry Visinoni, who plays him. “He’s in shock, as an HIV diagnosis is totally unexpected.”
Prior to the revelation, Anna and Seb’s mum Abi are anxiously waiting for news on Seb’s condition. It’s a relief when the medics treating him say that he is likely to pull through – but alarm bells ring for Abi after concern is raised over Seb’s low white blood-cell count.
Frightened Abi reveals to Anna that Seb may have contracted HIV from an exgirlfriend, who hasn’t had the courage to tell him. When he’s informed, though, Seb refuses to take the test to find out.
“He’s scared,” explains Harry. “Half of him is in denial and doesn’t want to find out, and the other half thinks that he probably does have it – so there’s no point taking the test. Seb feels that he has always let down his brother and sister, that he is a failure and his mum hates him. Now he’s questioning whether he wants to carry on. It’s the most hopeless and ready to give up that he’s ever felt.”
Seb eventually agrees to undergo the test – and his worst fears are confirmed.
“After Seb finds out he’s Hiv-positive, he feels a sense of dread and hopelessness,” sighs Harry. “Growing up he was ignorant, and heard that HIV is something you die from.
“Actually, when I started looking into this story, I realised that I was ignorant myself,” adds the star. “I didn’t know that you can live with the disease, and it won’t affect you dayto-day. So it’s great to do my bit to help dispel prejudice.”
As Seb comes to terms with his diagnosis, Anna realises Faye is also at risk. Will it turn out that she has HIV, too?
Seb feels a sense of dread and hopelessness after the diagnosis – he’s ready to just give up”