Introduction

My name is Jacquelynne Bernstein and I am in my fourth year at University of Central Florida. I am currently enrolled in a course called "HIV Disease: A Human Concern" for the Pre-clinical Health Sciences major. This blog will be used to convey the things I learn during my progression toward HIV awareness. While many know of the as-of-yet incurable virus and have developed certain attitudes in its regard, relatively few who are not experiencing it firsthand understand the effect of the stigma, have delved into the myths versus realities, or taken the time to realize the volume of its effects or the vulnerability of everyone, even outside the stereotypes.

As a chronic lyme disease/systemic lupus patient, I have had a taste, albeit just a sample, of what it's like to have an incurable autoimmune disease like AIDs. Due to the nature of my symptoms, I have been previously suspected to have the disease, and though I tested negative, the mere prospect was so frightening, I can only imagine what it is like to test positive. I have sat in waiting rooms with individuals openly discussing their battle with HIV and have thus realized my own prejudices and lack of comprehension about the experience up to that point. Half of the battle, I now believe, is dealing with the negative stigma of the disease and trying to remain a productive, accepted member of society without putting others or themselves at risk. HIV positive individuals' achievement of this, however, is also contingent upon the knowledge of the people they are trying to share a world with in equality.