HIV

HIV or Human immunodeficiency virus is a blood-borne virus that is passed by bodily fluids. Once inside the human body, the virus targets the body's immune system that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows problematic infections and cancers to develop. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. The four major routes of transmission are unsafe sex, contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth (perinatal transmission). Screening of blood products for HIV has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected blood products in the developed world.

HIV and Lifestyle
*HIV/AID's is life threatening disease where people then react differently.
*HIV infection is associated with behaviours such as homosexuality, drug addiction, prostitution, or promiscuity which already have stigma attatched in many cultures and societies.
*Most people become infected with HIV through sex which often carries moral baggage.
*There is alot of inaccurate information about how HIV is transmitted, creating irrational behaviour and misperceptions of personal irresponsibility.
*Religious or moral beliefs lead some people to believe that being infected with HIV is the result of moral fault

"Because it is about sex, in my country they then automatically think you have been loose...You are not anything better than a prostitute...They don't believe you got it any other way" African Woman in the UK.

Research by the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) found the possible consequences of HIV-related stigma to be:
-Loss of income/livelihood.
-Loss of marriage and childbearing options.
-Poor care within the health sector.
-Withdrawal of caregiving in the home.
-Loss of hope and feeling of worthlessness.
-Loss of reputation

"I am afraid of giving my disease to my family members-especially my youngest brother who is so small. It would be so pitiful if he got the disease. I am aware I have HIV so I do not touch him-I talk with him only. I don't hold him in my arms now" Woman in Vietnam