Stigma+of+AIDS

Aleisha Stingley

= **The Stigma of AIDS ** =

AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus also known as HIV. HIV destroys a type of defense cell in the body called a CD4 helper lymphocyte (Dowshen, 2009). These lymphocytes are part of the body's immune system, the defense system that fights infectious diseases (Dowshen, 2009). As HIV destroys these lymphocytes, people with the virus begin to get serious infections that they normally wouldn't and they become immune deficient (Dowshen, 2009). A healthy body is equipped with CD4 helper lymphocyte cells and these cells help the immune system function normally and fight off certain kinds of infections (Dowshen, 2009). The lymphocyte cells act as messengers to other types of immune system cells, telling them to become active and fight against an invading germ. HIV attaches to CD4 cells, infects them, and uses them as a place to multiply. In doing so, the virus destroys the ability of the infected cells to do their job in the immune system (Dowshen, 2009). The body then loses the ability to fight many infections. Symptoms of HIV vary according to what stage of the infection you are in and only HIV testing can tell you if you have the disease (Epigee, 2010). The earliest symptoms of HIV infection occur while your body begins to form antibodies to the virus between six weeks and three months after infection with the HIV virus (Epigee, 2010). According to Epigee, those who do show early HIV symptoms will develop flu-like symptoms which can include: fever, rash, muscles aches and swollen lymph nodes and glands (2010). However, for most people, the first symptoms of HIV will not be noticeable. The only way to know for sure that you have the disease is to get tested. According to Epigee, in the later stages of HIV, before it progresses to full blown AIDS, signs of HIV infection can involve more severe symptoms (2010). These include: chronic yeast infections or thrush (yeast infection of the mouth), fever and/or night sweats, easy bruising, bouts of extreme exhaustion, unexplained body rashes, appearance of purplish lesions on the skin or inside mouth, sudden unexplained weight loss, and chronic diarrhea lasting for a month or more (Epigee, 2010). HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another person through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk (Dowshen, 2009). The virus is spread through high-risk behaviors including: unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse, sharing needles, such as needles used to inject drugs (including needles used for injecting steroids) and those used for tattooing (Dowshen, 2009). People who have another sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis, genital herpes, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, or bacterial vaginosis are at greater risk for getting HIV during sex with infected partners (Dowshen, 2009). As of now there is no cure for AIDS, which makes prevention so important. Combinations of antiviral drugs and drugs that boost the immune system have allowed many people with HIV to resist infections, stay healthy, and prolong their lives, but these medications are not a cure. Right now there is no vaccine to prevent HIV and AIDS, although researchers are working on developing one.
 * What is AIDS?**

CDC estimates that more than one million people are living with HIV in the United States (2010). One in five (21%) of those people living with HIV is unaware of their infection (CDC, 2010). Despite increases in the total number of people living with HIV in the US in recent years, the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable; however, new infections continue at far too high a level, with an estimated 56,300 Americans becoming infected with HIV each year (CDC, 2010).
 * AIDS in the US**

AIDS- related stigma and discrimination refers to prejudice, negative attitudes, abuse, and maltreatment directed at people living with HIV and AIDS (Avert, 2011). It can result in being shunned by family, peers, and the wider community; poor treatment in healthcare and education settings; an erosion of rights; psychological damage; and can negatively affect the success of testing and treatment (Avert, 2011). Stigma not only makes it more difficult for people trying to come in terms with HIV and manage their illness on a personal level, but it also interferes with the attempt to fight the AIDS epidemic as a whole. On a national level, the stigma associated with HIV can deter governments from taking fast, effective action against the epidemic, whilst on a personal level it can make individuals reluctant to access HIV testing, treatment and care (Avert, 2011).
 * Stigma of AIDS**

According to Avert, stigma is related to HIV and AIDS because of fear of contagion coupled with negative, value-based assumptions about people who are infected (2011). Factors that contribute to HIV/AIDS-related stigma are: HIV/AIDS is seen as a life-threatening disease, and therefore people react to it in strong ways, HIV infection is associated with behaviors (such as homosexuality, drug addiction, prostitution or promiscuity) that are already stigmatized in many societies, and most people become infected with HIV through sex which often carries moral baggage (Avert, 2011). There is a lot of inaccurate information about how HIV is transmitted, creating irrational behavior and misperceptions of personal risk. HIV infection is often thought to be the result of personal irresponsibility. Religious or moral beliefs lead some people to believe that being infected with HIV is the result of moral fault (such as promiscuity or 'deviant sex') that deserves to be punished (Avert, 2011). The fact that HIV/AIDS is a relatively new disease also contributes to the stigma attached to it. The fear surrounding the emerging epidemic in the 1980s is still fresh in many people’s minds. At that time very little was known about the risk of transmission, which made people scared of those infected due to fear of contagion (Avert, 2011).
 * Why is there stigma related to HIV and AIDS?**

"The epidemic of fear, stigmatization and discrimination has undermined the ability of individuals, families and societies to protect themselves and provide support and reassurance to those affected. This hinders, in no small way, efforts at stemming the epidemic. It complicates decisions about testing, disclosure of status, and ability to negotiate prevention behaviors, including use of family planning services" (ICRW, 2005). AIDS-related stigma has had a profound effect on the epidemic’s course. The WHO cites fear of stigma and discrimination as the main reason why people are reluctant to be tested, to disclose HIV status or to take antiretroviral drugs (2008). One study found that participants who reported high levels of stigma were more than four times more likely to report poor access to care (Avert, 2011). These factors all contribute to the expansion of the epidemic (as a reluctance to determine HIV status or to discuss or practice safe sex means that people are more likely to infect others) and a higher number of AIDS-related deaths (Avert, 2011). An unwillingness to take an HIV test means that more people are diagnosed late, when the virus has already progressed to AIDS, making treatment less effective and causing early death. The widespread fear of stigma is held accountable for the relatively low uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs in countries where treatment is free. There is also the issue of internal stigma. Internal stigma refers to how people living with HIV regard themselves, as well as how they see public perception of people living with HIV (Avert, 2011). Stigmatizing beliefs and actions may be imposed by people living with HIV themselves. Self-stigma and fear of a negative community reaction can hinder efforts to address the AIDS epidemic by perpetuating the wall of silence and shame surrounding the epidemic. Stigma also exacerbates problems faced by children orphaned by AIDS and they may encounter hostility from their extended families and community, and may be rejected, denied access to schooling and health care, and left to fend for themselves (Avert, 2011).
 * Effects of Stigma**[[image:stigma_1.JPG width="320" height="240" align="right" caption="Stigmatization unnecessarily isolates those infected"]]

Stigma and discrimination will continue to exist as long as societies as a whole have a poor understanding of HIV and AIDS and the pain and suffering caused by negative attitudes and discriminatory practices. The fear and prejudice that lie at the core of the HIV/AIDS discrimination need to be tackled at the community and national levels, with AIDS education playing a crucial role. A more enabling environment needs to be created to increase the visibility of people with HIV/AIDS as a 'normal' part of any society (Avert, 2011). The presence of treatment makes this task easier; where there is hope, people are less afraid of AIDS; they are more willing to be tested for HIV, to disclose their status, and to seek care if necessary (Avert, 2011). In the future, the task is to confront the fear-based messages and biased social attitudes, in order to reduce the discrimination and stigma of people living with HIV and AIDS.
 * Combating the Stigma of AIDS**


 * References**

Avert (2011). ‘Hiv and aids stigma and discrimination’. Retrieved from http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-stigma.htm

Centers for Disease Control and prevention. (2010, July 1). Hiv in the united states. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/us.htm

Dowshen, S. (2009, August 1). Hiv and aids. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/stds/std_hiv.html

Epigee (2010, November 20). Hiv symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.epigee.org/health/hiv_symptoms.html

ICRW (2005). ‘HIV-related stigma across contexts: common at its core’. Retrieved from http://www.icrw.org/publications/common-its-core-hiv-related-stigma-across- contexts

WHO (2008). ‘Towards Universal Access: Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector: Progress report. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/2008progressreport/en/