The Fear The Aids Stigma Brings To The Need For Disclosure

The Need
Those who are aware of their own AIDS diagnosis must make important decisions regarding not only their own treatment and well-being, they must make that all important decision regarding disclosing the fact that they are HIV positive to those that are close to them. Those who they are intimate with, those who they live with, those they come in contact with on a daily basis. Coworkers, family members, close friends and neighbors will want to know why you are in pain emotionally, and mentally. Especially if your symptoms have made you feel physically ill to where it is apparent to those around you; they will want to be aware of your illness and how to help you. Those that they have been sexually intimate with will need to know that they have been exposed to the HIV virus and are now at risk and need to be tested.

The Sigma
There is a sigma when the general population hears the word – AIDS. In their minds they hear the words, “suffering”, “death”, “pain”, and “anguish”. People fear becoming infected by those who are already HIV positive. People fear touching them, eating alongside them, some even fear working near them, or being in the same room with a person with AIDS. People fear what they do not know; they fear the unknown. That fear turn onto the person who has AIDS. What breaks the cycle of fear?

Those who have AIDS also live in fear. They fear that they will be discriminated against because so many persons with AIDS have been over the years. They read about others being discriminated in the workplace, and regarding housing applications, and within their own families because the disease is so riddled with fear-induced stigma. They fear that they will be outcasts to the very people they care the most about.

Knowledge
Information and understanding is what breaks the stigma that is producing such fear in those who have AIDS and those who come in contact with them. Any fatal disease creates the same fear. People do not want to die. People do not want to suffer. Ignorance and being afraid to disclose the fact that you are HIV positive is what contributes to the spread of the HIV virus. Disclosure and gaining knowledge about AIDS is what allows others to give aid, compassion and support to those who have AIDS.

There are many worldwide organizations that are in existence to give council to and support to those who are suffering from this fatal disease. Organizations are set up to give out information to not only AIDS patients, but to their sexual partners and to their families.

Aids Organizations include: local, national, worldwide, awareness and prevention, fundraising, research and treatment, support services, organizations for youth, prison inmate, political action, global funding, physician networks, and much more.

There are Websites that give support and information for AIDS patients, their families, employers, and communities. These websites inform, lead fundraising efforts, conduct seminars and provide online communities for people to gather, share and discuss issues surrounding AIDS. Three popular online Websites are: aids.org, www.aidsonline.com, aidsinfo.nih.gov

Recommended Reading

1. Msm And The Impact Of Aids
MSM as searched on the popular search engine Google can mean many things. You can find that it may mean,...
2. Aids And Families
Like most diseases, the person who has it is not the only one who is impacted by it. Fatal diseases...
3. Why You Need To Let Everyone Know That You Are Hiv Positive
Letting others know about your AIDS diagnosis is a very important step in your treatment. Your healthcare professional will go...
4. Aids You Have It Now What
When there is no cure, you treat to relieve suffering and to preserve human dignity. You have been told your...
5. Understanding Aids Policy In The United States
The U.S. has a HIV Prevention Policy that includes a Federal Budget Process and HIV Funding, Federal House Labor, Health...