 Talking about HIV/AIDS involves talking about sexuality and drug use. In many societies these two topics are considered taboo. It is very difficult for people to talk about them, especially about sex, because this goes against many societal norms and religious beliefs.
Since HIV/AIDS first starts to spread among "high-risk groups" (see the story HIV/AIDS Around the World) most people dont want to talk about HIV/AIDS because they don't want to be associated with these groups.
On the other hand, people with HIV/AIDS are embarrassed to talk about the disease because they are afraid they will be stigmatized.
People with HIV/AIDS are often afraid to tell their friends and families. They think their friends and family will no longer want to be around them if they find out.
Despite efforts to educate people about HIV/AIDS, there are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS: what causes it, how a person can contract it and how a person can protect him or herself from it.
Many people think if they are in the same room with an HIV/AIDS infected person that they themselves will contract the disease. (For example, there are some common illnesses that are transmitted through the air, like a cold or flu.) But this isn't true for HIV/AIDS.
These misconceptions, unfortunately, can be harmful because they can contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. They can also hurt people infected with HIV/AIDS because other people in their community don't treat them well, but are mean to them and shun them.
Children are sometimes born with HIV/AIDS. This happens if the mother was HIV-positive while pregnant and didn't take appropriate medicine to prevent the transmission of the virus.
In some countries these children have been discriminated against when they tried to attend school. Parents of other children were afraid to have an HIV-positive child in the classroom with other healthy kids.
This behavior caused by ignorance about HIV/AIDS hurts the infected child. It also hurts the rest of the community because it doesn't help people learn real facts about this disease.
That's why it is important to educate both adults and children about HIV/AIDS. Many organizations around the world as well as government ministries are doing their best to teach local communities about it.
What does it mean?
Taboo: A topic that a society doesnt want to discuss because it goes against their cultural and societal norms.
Stigmatize: To single a person out as someone to be ashamed of. Unfairly, people often avoid others with disability and assume that they cannot support themselves or learn the skills needed to thrive in life.
Misconception: A mistaken thought, idea, or notion; a misunderstanding.
Related Links
www.sesamestreet.com
www.unicef.org
www.aidskids.org
YouthNet
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