What are HIV expert doing about stigmatization, the ongoing lack of information on HIV. This condition is still treated as a death sentence.

[poorly08]

What are HIV expert doing about stigmatization, the ongoing lack of information on HIV. This condition is still treated as a death sentence.

[Griffon]

HIV experts are just that - they can only inform people about the facts of HIV , it is then up to the people what they do with the information .

Public perception can be hard to change , and because HIV is a sexually transmitted disease there is automatically a stigma attached - after all syphilis has been around for ever , but I don't think most people would want to tell everyone they have it !

Attitudes are only likely to change when HIV infection becomes " normalised " - which will take a very long time , if ever .

[Angelina1 in reply to Griffon]

I agree with Griffon. Stigma still persists even after more than 30 years of the epidemic. And people living with HIV experience stigma from lots of different angles, from society, family, close friends, and some healthcare professionals - largely due to lack of knowledge and awareness about basic information about today's reality of living with HIV. We now know that we access to testing, treatment, care and support, people living with HIV can lead healthy, fulfilling lives and have a similar life expectancy to others not living with HIV. We also know that when someone has an undetectable viral load, they do not pass the virus on.

However, stigma does not only come from society and others, some of us also experience self stigma. Which is not surprising especially when, before we are diagnosed, we will have been subject to negative images and attitudes to HIV. Including in the language that is used relating to HIV.

Experts from all sectors are doing what they can, and lots of countries have campaigns around addressing and tackling stigma. There are also lots of campaigns developed by and for people living with HIV because it is important that those of us who are directly involved play an active role and are meaningfully involved in such campaigns and interventions. From a personal perspective, I truly believe that as individuals, we can also do a lot to start addressing stigma, especially self stigma that many of us experience. We can change the way we think about HIV - which is a virus and does not define who we are. It is only one part of our lives. We can try and kick stigma out of our lives - by not accepting other people's negative attitudes towards us. And we can also change the language we use around HIV. For example, simple everyday terms that are used such as using People Living with HIV instead of HIV positive people. The former puts the person before the virus. Because we are human beings first.

Please have a look at the link to one of my favourite campaigns- Positive Affirmation Day, which was developed by and for people living with HIV. The campaign invites people living with HIV globally, to submit an image/photo as well as to use alternative words to describe the letters HIV, in a positive way/using positive language.

facebook.com/pg/PADHIV/abou...

[Griffon in reply to Angelina1]

Personally , I have not disclosed

my status to anyone , and HIV does not impact on my life in any way at all , other than twice yearly visits to the clinic .

Never give it a thought .

[Utopia1230 in reply to Angelina1]

Well Done Angelina could have not have replied this article better a very good depiction off how some off us view HIV

Great advise and I wish more could feel the caring attitude you have towards people living with the condition

Keep up the good work

Best regards

[poorly08 in reply to Angelina1]

With all said and done about a campaign and educating ourselves and the public about stigma, I live in London and I have never come across a banner or a poster that says stop HIV stigma. I have seen several posters depicting stigma against mental health or other physical illnesses but maybe because HIV is still thought of as an illness for the sexually wayward, posters like that are not in public place.

I will feel HIV experts are doing more by not only encouraging people living with HIV to disclose and show their face but for there to be an awareness in every way possible, on television, newspapers, posters in train station educating against stigma for people living with HIV.

I disclosed to only one person, a dearly beloved and now my whole social network, family and friends know. I will certainly not be putting my picture out until this stigma thing is well controlled.

[poorly08]

With all said and done about a campaign and educating ourselves and the public about stigma, I live in London and I have never come across a banner or a poster that says stop HIV stigma. I have seen several posters depicting stigma against mental health or other physical illnesses but maybe because HIV is still thought of as an illness for the sexually wayward, posters like that are not in public place.

I will feel HIV experts are doing more by not only encouraging people living with HIV to disclose and show their face but for there to be an awareness in every way possible, on television, newspapers, posters in train station educating against stigma for people living with HIV.

I disclosed to only one person, a dearly beloved and now my whole social network, family and friends know. I will certainly not be putting my picture out until this stigma thing is well controlled.