Background HIV has developed to a global pandemic and millions of people are living with HIV or AIDS today. People living with HIV still face stigmatization and discrimination in their lives. Aim The aim of this study was to describe people´s experiences of living with HIV. Method A method to contribute to evidence-based nursing based on analysis of qualitative research was used in this study to deepen understanding. Ten articles were analysed. Results Three themes were identified: ”Manage a new life situation”, ”An emotionally turbulent living” and ” Not be treated than others” with subthemes. People living with HIV used many different strategies to handle their new life situation, for example church, to tell or not tell about their HIV-status and isolate themselves from others. Their new life situation was turbulent due to many emotions including fear for the death, shame, guilt and loneliness. Lack of knowledge contributed to the fact that health care staff offended people living with HIV by distancing themselves from these persons, using excessive precautions, breach of confidentiality and categorized them with stereotypes linked to HIV. Conclusion People with HIV experience many types of discrimination and stigmatization like denied care and health care staff keeping away from them. This leads to unwillingness among people with HIV to seek care and seems to create double suffering for them. In order to overlook their prejudices and work for good nursing, nurses need to develop their knowledge about HIV and be aware about their prejudices and treat everybody the same regardless of diagnosis.