The impact of stigma on people living with HIV

Why stigma matters

Thanks to treatment, HIV is now a long-term, manageable health condition. But stigma – negative attitudes, assumptions, or behaviours – remains a serious barrier.

Stigma can affect every part of a person’s life, including:

• Access to healthcare
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Confidence to share their status
• Relationships, work, and housing

Even small actions, comments, or extra precautions that aren’t needed can make someone feel judged or unsafe.

Stigma in care settings: what it can look like

Stigma isn’t always loud or intentional. It often shows up in subtle ways, such as:

• Wearing extra gloves or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) only with someone known to have HIV
• Avoiding physical contact or everyday interaction
• Treating personal items (like laundry or cutlery) differently
• Asking unnecessary questions about their HIV status
• Talking about someone with fear or pity

These examples of behaviours can reinforce shame and isolation.

The effects of stigma

Even subtle stigma can lead to real harm:

• People may avoid health and social care support because they fear judgement
• It affects mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression
• It discourages people from sharing their status, which can impact the delivery of safe and effective care
• It keeps misconceptions alive, making it harder for people to live openly and confidently

What you can do

• Treat everyone with dignity – calm and respectful care helps reduce stigma and fear
• Use respectful language – avoid terms like “infected” or “suffering from HIV.” If you would like more guidance on this, please refer to our language guide in the resources section
• Remember, you don’t know who may be living with HIV — it could be your work colleague, friend, or family member. This is why using inclusive, stigma-free language at all times is so important
• Extra precautions are not necessary – they often signal fear, not safety
• Gently challenge stigma when you see it
• Keep learning – knowledge helps replace fear with facts