Positive experiences: prejudice has pay-offs too.

Having HIV disease is not on the whole a positive experience. There have been many negative reactions to HIV and AIDS from the public, media and health professionals. We can all recount horror stories of people who have been disadvantaged by prejudice because they were in what was perceived as a high risk group. So how is it possible to discuss the positive effects of prejudice? The way HIV is managed can be seen to be a direct result of pre-existing prejudice towards the marginalised groups with which it first became identified in Western countries. The lessons we have learned from HIV can be applied in diverse areas of health care to benefit all clients and patients.