Answer Summary

Members shared mixed feelings about whether the HIV epidemic will ever end, with many expressing frustration that pharmaceutical profits may... Read more

Members shared mixed feelings about whether the HIV epidemic will ever end, with many expressing frustration that pharmaceutical profits may prioritize ongoing treatment over cures, though several noted hope in advancements like weekly pills, PrEP, and the U=U campaign. Several members described painful personal experiences of stigma, including friends fearing transmission from shared meals, dental staff shaming them, and potential partners immediately ending contact after disclosure, illustrating how deeply misunderstanding and prejudice persist even decades into the epidemic. A recurring theme was cautious optimism that education and compassion are slowly reducing stigma, but widespread agreement that as long as HIV remains profitable and societally misunderstood, both the epidemic and the fear surrounding it will likely continue for years to come.