They were all caught by surprise. Never expected such a diagnosis, being the carriers of HIV. Almost all thought being infected was impossible. In their minds they never had risk behaviors. In general they have an idea that the responsibility of the infection isn't theirs, but from the "other". The "other" is a husband, boyfriend, a father, a mother and even doctors,...
more »

They were all caught by surprise. Never expected such a diagnosis, being the carriers of HIV. Almost all thought being infected was impossible. In their minds they never had risk behaviors. In general they have an idea that the responsibility of the infection isn't theirs, but from the "other". The "other" is a husband, boyfriend, a father, a mother and even doctors, responsible for blood transfusions. There're few that recognize the risk taken by them. But the big responsible for such a high rate of HIV infections in Portugal is the lack of prevention campaigns that would enter the world of the "other", the common person, not only the usual group risk, drug addicts, gays and prostitutes. In fact it's proved today that such thing does not exist, we can only talk about risk behaviors, not groups.
Portugal is the country with more infections per million in the west of Europe, 205, according to the latest studies of EuroHiv.
The "other" can be you and me.
« less