Stigma troubles HIV positive people in Slovakia

There have been 777 recorded cases of HIV positive people in Slovakia since 1985 when the first data on this disease started being recorded in this country. Slovakia belongs to the European countries with the lowest incidence rates. "The recent trends are moving upward, however. While in 2012 the number of newly diagnosed patients was 50, two years later 86 new cases were added", said Darina Sedláková the Director of the Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Slovakia at a press conference on the occasion of the World Day of HIV / AIDS, which is December 1. In recent years the treatment of HIV / AIDS recorded a significant shift that has changed the nature of the disease from fatal to chronic. The patients being treated have good quality of life for several decades and can live longer. The negative perception of the disease by the public, which is often not properly informed about the nature of the disease, remains a challenge. Stigma troubles HIV positive patients more than the infection itself. These patients face discrimination on the labour market and even with healthcare. Doctors also point to the lack of awareness among pupils and students in schools and the public in general about HIV / AIDS.