Overcoming stigmatization: social and personal implications of the human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis.

All diseases have attached metaphors. Social and personal reactions to people with human immunodeficiency virus are influenced by the metaphor, "fear of polluting people," and have in common with sexually transmitted diseases, the irrational fear of easy contagion. These issues negatively affect clients' response to their diagnosis and their treatment and care. Many clients have suffered as a result of receiving care from professionals who are condemning of the person with the disease. Others, though have found supportive care givers and have experienced positive reactions to the diagnosis through achieving emotional and spiritual development. The response of nursing to this stigmatized disease is explicated.