Discrimination of HIV infected persons

Discrimination of HIV infected persons

Discrimination of HIV infected persons exists all around the world. It manifests differently across the most basic strata of society like the family to the most complex strata like a country. Stigma is cultivated along different formations and this might include, misogyny or homophobia, and discrimination based on physical appearances like color toning and physique, discrimination is also meted on those who indulge in socially intolerable activities like drug abuse and commercial sex working. This segregation of infected persons makes it difficult for them to cope up with their illness and handle their infections at personal levels. Such acts of discrimination also act as a bulwark on efforts made by HIV/AIDS professionals. Countries also find it difficult to plan and cater for the people with HIV/AIDS, this hampers any effort to initiate fast action on the virus. Individuals also get lackadaisical especially when testing for the virus is involved, and for those who are infected find it hard to continue or even start their medication

Reasons for the existence of stigma related to AIDS

Persons suffering from AIDs live in a society that is very reprehensible and judgmental .some societies where hiv infection is linked to minority behaviours in the society like homosexuality .Others treat infection of hiv as an individual’s promiscuousness and lack of safe sex and this leads to discrimination from family members who suffer shame of having an infected person among them.

The cutting edge of all the stigma is that they are consequences of what society has termed as good and bad and that is the test stone for societies’ general perception.

The fear of contracting the disease.

the fear of hiv is indeed a fear that is cultivated from the known.it is powered by knowledge of the disease either published or from human experiences with the disease.The fear of seeing one who is dieng with the disease has created a scenario whereby there is no hope that is linked with the disease.The general assumption is that when one contracts the virus he/she will die soon if not very soon.This fear is also fuelled by the disease itself ,when hiv manifests in the body,how it crushes the white blood cells and leaves a body that is weak and susceptible to any infection. The grotesque physique ,how HiV dismembers the various organs of the body reducing the human body at its anatomy basis,a skeleton.When individuals in society who lack the education see some of these things tend to fear for their own life and not even the life of the infected person. The infected person without strong post testing counselling can never survive such hate channeled at them.

Human morality

Human beings have created standards for their own morality and hiv aids is seen as a consequence of an immoral experience.Those who test positive for the virus are viewed as either having been on the wrong side of the norms and the consequences of their actions is their contraction of the virus.Assumptions are made that for one to have contracted the virus one must have had illicit sexual expeditions and might also have been under the influence of drugs .This actions are discriminated by society with clenched fists.The trauma is real as people infected with HIV aids are seen as the reason for their infections and therefore bad examples to the young members of the society ,now, this calls for a punishment of those who are infected.In other situations it becomes worse that the infected person has to commit suicide since living an honorable life is far gone.

Hiv is a deadly disease.

In the third world countries and Africa where governments don’t invest a lot on health care systems the very thought of contracting hiv would run a chill down ones spine.When one contracts hiv it is perceived that it might be a death warrant and thus the rising cases of stigma.HIV destroys the CD4 cells thus rendering the body weak and prevalent to other bacterial and viral infection like pneumonia.The very nature of this disease and how it affects the human body has made millions develop an innate fear that more than any other disease.Today ,HIV is still the most feared disease in the whole world ,this comes as a result of the stigma that is witnessed by those infected

the consequences of stigma

HIV related stigma has had a heavy toll on the epidemic’s course.The World Health Organisation considers fear of discrimination and stigma as the Macro causes of people being sluggish when it comes to getting tested and disclosure of their HIV status.Studies have also highlighted that those suffering from acute stigma are not accessible to organisations which assist people with the epidermic.

Shame also contributes towards the  development of this epidermic.Those suffering from HIV and high levels of stigma are reluctant towards determining their status and refuse to practice safe sex.stigma also has an effect with the livelihoods of those affected.infected persons tend to opt out of business either because of a weakened body system thereby rendering them economically in active or because of boycotts of their business premises simply because they have the virus.This shame cuts across even those who were born with the Virus as highlighted by one HIV activists who was born positive with the virus.It really gets murkier especially when choosing a spouse is concerned.Whenever an infected person discloses their status that would mark the end of the courtship.This has made indivduals not have considerations for things like marriage and childbearing.The fear is still large even when medical research notes that for one on ARVS ,the antirevival therapies have almost a zero chance of infecting their partners oblivious of that the majority still consider those with the virus time bombs and not a choice.

Stigma affected people have made choices of not visiting health centers and thereby worsening their conditions .Those with this illness feel that they are left with no reputation in society.These ramafications refer to an individual’s self disgrace or internal dishonor .infected persons will treat themselves the same way the society treats them and this might lead to even suicide.No law or legislation alone can combat stigma but the wholesome effort of society can create an wonderful environment for those living with  HIV.The society at large needs to be educated that those infected are human beings and therefore deserve dignity and respect.The education about this virus should not only stop only in schools but should be extrapolated everywhere in society.Extensive and intensive use of mass media to ensure that the message reaches the almost everybody if not everyone.The governments and their partners should support those with the virus not only with medication but also with economic incentives to help them achieve economical freedom.This would also reduce the level of discrimination and stigma .