The stigma of AIDS

It's the Sunday Times again. Reporting on the stupidity of the world.

This time, it's people with AIDS.

People with AIDS are being stigmatised. They are afraid to admit to their illness, for fear of being rejected by friends and family.

Okay, that's not nice. But read on.

"Sufferers of the virus ... are still too afraid to reveal their condition to their family, friends or work colleagues..." Yes, sympathetic nod, that's not nice, is it.

To continue:

"... too afraid to reveal their condition ... despite most being able to live symptom-free."

Symptom-free? So what?!

AIDS is a nasty disease. So is leprosy. No-one wants to catch either. We now know enough about leprosy to know that it is a very difficult disease to catch.

We know enough about AIDS to know that yes, in the right unfortunate circumstances we can catch AIDS... From family, friends or work colleagues.

Please, correct me if I'm wrong.

We -- people who do not have AIDS -- are glad that AIDS sufferers can live without symptoms. That's great -- for you.

At the more selfish level -- we do not want to catch your disease.

That's the source of the stigma: fear of infection.

Can we catch your disease? If not, convince us.

Meanwhile, stop being so self-centred. Consider your friends, your family, your work colleagues. Help them to understand that AIDS is not easily transmitted.

Or accept the stigma. Which is really just avoidance based on the instinct for self-protection.

We're sorry you're sick. But please understand: we do not want to share your disease.

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