Fanning HIV fear fosters discrimination

The recent arrest of a man with HIV for allegedly infecting at least one woman has revealed the extent to which this virus still engenders exceptional fear in the community. It has also unmasked the eagerness of some media to fan this fear.

More than 25 years ago Australians were warned by their government about the risks of unprotected sex and the importance of using condoms: a cool-headed response in the context of much media hysteria.