We've come a long way in our understanding of HIV and AIDS. There have been many advances in early diagnosis and treatment. This has made it possible to live a normal life with the disease, as people often do with other long-term (chronic) illnesses. But there is still discrimination against people living with HIV. The greatest challenge for many people can be the stigma, or judgment from others, that can happen with the illness.

Some people may worry about what others will think about them having HIV. They may also fear having others know certain things about them. These things may include:

• Being gay or bisexual.
• Having many sex partners in the past.
• Having had an HIV-positive partner.
• Having a history of injection drug use.

For some people, these worries and fears may lead to behaviors that put them and others at risk. These behaviors can include:

• Not getting tested for HIV.
• Not using condoms.
• Hiding an HIV-positive status from sex partners.
• Not getting medical care that can save or prolong their life.
• Not taking medicine as directed.
• Not telling their family and friends about their health problems.

Negative beliefs about people with substance use disorder may lead to discrimination against people who were infected with HIV through injection drug use. These false beliefs include the idea that substance use disorder is a moral failing. They also include the idea that people with a substance use disorder can't or won't change. These prejudices have slowed the availability of treatment centers for people who use drugs. Because of this, people who are HIV-positive and use injection drugs often face stigma. This can lead to isolation, anxiety, distress, depression, and other health issues.

If you are living with HIV, there are things that you can do to take care of your health and help reduce any discrimination you may be facing:

• Follow your treament plan for HIV. This can help you stay healthy and prevent the spread of HIV. Be sure to take your HIV medicine exactly as directed. And tell any sex or injection partners to ask their doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). These medicines can help protect them from HIV.
• Educate yourself and others. Discrimination against people with HIV is often rooted in a lack of understanding about the virus and how it spreads. Contact your doctor or local public health department. They can help you find community-based organizations that provide HIV information, counseling, and testing.
• Know your rights. Federal law protects people with disabilities from discrimination. This includes people with HIV. Laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act, protect your rights in the workplace, in housing, and in other settings. For example, the ADA requires employers to accommodate the needs of workers with disabilities, such as HIV or AIDS. This is true as long as they can still do the required tasks of their job.
• Be an advocate. One of the best ways to fight discrimination is to work to help change policies that stop people with HIV from getting the care, housing, and respect they need.
• Think about being open with those you can trust. You can choose who to tell about your HIV status. Not all of your friends and loved ones have to know. You need to think about who can give you the support and comfort you deserve. It may be stressful to talk about your HIV status. But being able to confide in people you trust and getting the support you need will be a big relief. It's also good to remember that you can't control other people's prejudices. Prepare for possible negative reactions, at least at first.
• Join a support group. Studies show that people with strong social support are less likely to feel stigmatized than those who are isolated. If you're uncomfortable getting support from friends and family, contact your doctor or local public health department or hospital. They can help you find HIV support groups in your community. Think about volunteering to give support to others with HIV if you already have a close network.