Survivors Handbook (or not) for Positive – published by BFPA

‘Dear colleagues, …the patient leaves keeping deep inside our attitude to his/her problem’, says in the preface of the book Prof. Radka Argirova, MD – a world known name in virology, founder and director of the first laboratory of HIV/AIDS in Bulgaria.The issuing of the manual which messages are targeting medical specialists, institutions, people living with HIV and the wide audience as a whole, received a wide reflection via publications and participation of the authors in national media.
According to data of MoH up to November 25, 2016, 88% from the new registered HIV cases in the country are infected sexually. From the beginning of this year new 193 HIV cases are found, which makes the number of officially registered in Bulgaria HIV-infected persons 2 460.
Today more than ever we have to rethink on the communicating HIV/AIDS at every level: ministry, professionals, media – wide audience. The science is been developing and progressing in its findings, including in the field of research on HIV. HIV-infection today can be treated as a chronicle disease. Current informational and antistigma campaigns are needed in Bulgaria. The stigma is not only in relationships between people, but also in the language of institutions and media as a follow up from not properly and not enough currently given information and not fully understanding of the specifics of HIV/AIDS – by professionals, as well by the wide audience. Stigmatizing of HIV-positive people is an obstacle for adequate attitude and understanding of people towards the problem of the increasing spread of the infection.