Nearly half a century has passed since the first recognised case of Aids in the UK in December 1981. During that time, perceptions of HIV and people living with HIV have been transformed by medical advances and changing cultural attitudes. Yet the stigma created during the early years of the epidemic has proved much harder to leave behind.
The first years of the UK epidemic were characterised by fear and uncertainty. There was no effective treatment, and people diagnosed with Aids often became seriously ill and died. HIV also became associated with communities that already experienced prejudice, particularly gay and bisexual men and people who inject drugs.
