But most people kept their distance from me as if I had

Yes. And past perfect is wrong here; simply 'as if I had a disease'.

Mister MicawberYes. And past perfect is wrong here; simply 'as if I had a disease'.

Thanks, Mister.

But shouldn't we use "had+p.p" when it's subjunctive in the past?

There is no call for subjunctive here.

But most people kept their distance from me as if I had some kind of disease = But most people kept their distance from me like I had some kind of disease.

Mister MicawberThere is no call for subjunctive here.

But most people kept their distance from me as if I had some kind of disease = But most people kept their distance from me like I had some kind of disease.

Thanks, Mister.

To make sure, does "call" in your post refer to "need?" Does the following sound

Yes.

(I am still thinking about this, but the original certainly sounds wrong to me. It is, I think, because as if is not being used as a hypothetical, but as an indication of appearance.)

Mister MicawberYes.

(I am still thinking about this, but the original certainly sounds wrong to me. It is, I think, because as if is not being used as a hypothetical, but as an indication of appearance.)

Thanks, Mister.

According to my textbook, "as if" can be followed by real and unreal conditions. For example:

It

Yes, I know, but I don't think that is the case here; it is merely stating an appearance.

Mister MicawberYes, I know, but I don't think that is the case here; it is merely stating an appearance.

Thanks, Mister.

I think both are all right.

>I looked around to find someone to talk to. But most people kept their distance from me as if I had had some kind of disease.

as if I had had

is correct, but not in this context.

It means that the time of the disease is [had been] before the time of people considering you, reason for which the past perfect form would be used.