Social Exclusion of PLWHA: Myth or Reality?

Abstract

This article explores the dynamics of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) with special reference to life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). It is undertaken within the framework of HIV/AIDS patients coming to the hospital. The fndings indicate the diversity found in HIV/AIDS patients regarding their problems, source of infection and their current situation. This was an attempt to understand how personal environment or lifestyle of people puts them at risk of acquiring infection. It is not only the high-risk behaviour which put one at risk, even low-risk groups are getting infected. These relationships involve trust and love so a person naturally tends to go for unprotected behaviour believing that other person in the relationship is also loyal. Many people like to live in a world of denial and knowing their personal behaviour they will never get themselves tested. HIV/AIDS is usually considered to be a disease of others. This unsaid otherness is responsible for social tsunami of stigma existing in imagination of everybody.