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HIV and AIDS

Unit 2 Term 4

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STIGMAS ABOUT HIV AND AIDS

A stigma is a negative believe that a society has towards something. In this case, people will have beliefs about HIV and Aids, such as what it is, why people get it, or how people get it.

Some popular stigmas about HIV and AIDS:

  • HIV and AIDS means death.
  • HIV only affects certain groups of people.
  • HIV can be passed on by sneezing, sharing toilet seats, shaking hands or getting hugs from someone who is positive, speaking to someone who is positive, sitting next to someone who is positive and so on.

The negative effects of stigmas on people who are HIV positive:

  • These people are discriminated against and are treated really, badly.

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How is HIV and AIDS passed on?

  • When someone has unprotected sex (not using a condom) with someone who is not their husband or wife.
  • If someone has unprotected sex (not using a condom) with more than one partners.
  • If someone is cut with a blade that has foreign blood on it or gets injected with a used syringe.
  • If foreign blood enters an open wound.
  • If you receive blood that is not the same type of blood in your body.
  • If a pregnant mother is already HIV positive and does not take the antiviral treatment for HIV, the child can be born with HIV.

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