We all need to think

differently about HIV.

STOP THE STIGMA!

Understanding HIV and how it is transmitted and prevented can help you stay in control of your sexual health. Educating yourself can also help end the stigma around HIV. HIV stigma plagues our communities and socially isolated people affected by the disease. The truth is when we feed into HIV stigma, we are feeding into discrimination, prejudice, and hatred. 


But there’s good news…we all can #StopHIVStigma! If we are willing to work together, to halt the hate and lean into love.


What is HIV Stigma?

HIV Stigma is the negative attitude about people with HIV. This stigma, like all discrimination, is bred from ignorance. The solution is to learn as much as possible about the disease and not to believe the myths. 


Here are a few examples:

  • Believing that only certain groups of people can get HIV
  • Making moral judgments about people who take steps to prevent HIV transmission
  • Feeling that people deserve to get HIV because of their choices


  • Ways HIV can not be transmitted

    HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces), and it cannot reproduce outside a human host. It is not transmitted...

    • By mosquitoes, ticks, or other insects.
    • Through saliva, tears, or sweat.
    • By hugging, shaking hands, sharing toilets, sharing dishes, or closed-mouth or “social” kissing with someone who has HIV.
    • Through other sexual activities that don’t involve the exchange of body fluids (for example, touching).
    • Through the air.

  • Ways HIV can be transmitted

    • You can get HIV if you have anal sex with someone who has HIV without using protection (like condoms or medicine to treat or prevent HIV).
    • You can get HIV if you have vaginal sex with someone who has HIV without using protection (like condoms or medicine to treat or prevent HIV).
    • HIV can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. However, it is less common because of advances in HIV prevention and treatment.
    • You are at high risk for getting HIV if you share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment (for example, cookers) with someone who has HIV. Never share needles or other equipment to inject drugs, hormones, steroids, or silicone.
    • For more ways visit https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-transmission/ways-people-get-hiv.html

  • More resources

    HIV Prevention Materials

    https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-prevention/resources.html


    HIV Stigma Materials

    https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-stigma/index.html

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