Who Are HIV Deniers and Why Do They Believe the Virus Doesn't Exist?
In the 21st century, people still die for their beliefs. HIV deniers not only reject the existence of AIDS but actively promote their views, discouraging treatment and obstructing care for children.
In today's world, people are still dying because of their convictions. Some firmly believe that AIDS is a myth.
Table of Contents- What Is This About?
- Isn't the Existence of HIV and AIDS Scientifically Proven?
- So Why Do Some Deny It?
- Do HIV Deniers Have Any Evidence?
- What Does the HIV Denier's Worldview Look Like?
- How Do They Survive Then?
- What About Their Children?
- What's Behind This Belief?
What Is This About?
The HIV epidemic is raging globally. According to research published in PLOS journal, Russia has the highest number of HIV-positive individuals in Europe—over 1.16 million registered cases. Many people are unaware of their status, while others refuse to accept it.
It's clear that no one is immune to HIV.
The disease has long transcended traditional risk groups and affects people from all walks of life, not just drug users or sex workers.
Yet, there are individuals who believe that ignoring the problem will make it disappear. These are HIV deniers. They reject the very existence of the virus.
Isn't the Existence of HIV and AIDS Scientifically Proven?
Absolutely. HIV was discovered in 1983, visualized under microscopes, and isolated from cells. The World Health Organization recognizes HIV as a major global health challenge requiring urgent action. By the end of 2016, approximately 36.7 million people worldwide were living with HIV. For instance, the virus appears as black circular particles under the microscope.
So Why Do Some Deny It?
New scientific theories often face resistance, and HIV is no exception.
The wave of denial emerged partly because early antiretroviral therapy (ART) was less effective and had significant side effects. Although those drugs are no longer used, fear of treatment persists and extends to newer medications. While modern ART can have side effects like any medicine, it effectively controls the disease.
Denial is also a psychological stage of grief, and many HIV deniers get stuck there. We consulted psychotherapist Alexey Karachinsky, author of the Telegram channel “Psychotherapist's Diary,” to understand this phenomenon.
Alexey Karachinsky
Psychotherapist and author of the Telegram channel "Psychotherapist's Diary."
Firstly, denial arises when a person feels threatened and seeks protection because living in a safe world is a natural desire.
Secondly, HIV denial often stems from a lack of basic education. Schools rarely provide comprehensive sex education or contraception literacy.
Thirdly, beliefs formed over a lifetime are difficult to change without personal motivation. There is a cognitive bias called confirmation bias, where people unconsciously cling to their views. Symbolically, losing one's beliefs feels like losing oneself.
Fourthly, the environment matters. If an HIV-positive individual feels ostracized, they are more likely to adapt by denying their condition.
Do HIV Deniers Have Any Evidence?
Most so-called evidence comes from self-proclaimed experts. The most renowned HIV denier is Peter Duesberg, a molecular and cell biology professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He authored a book claiming HIV is fabricated and that diseases result from drugs, lifestyle, and aggressive treatments.
In Russia, Olga Koveh, a doctor who attempts to treat HIV with prednisone online, is infamous and nicknamed 'Doctor Death.' Although dismissed from her job in December, she maintains her views. In 2017, she participated in the "Scientists Against Myths" conference and was a finalist in the "Honorary Academic of the Liar's Academy — 2017" contest organized by the Anthropogenesis.ru portal and the Evolution Foundation.
All other claims that the virus hasn't been seen or causes no harm have long been debunked by science.
What Does the HIV Denier's Worldview Look Like?
In short: a conspiracy by doctors. The virus cannot be detected, so tests are faked and meaningless. If you avoid testing and AIDS centers, you remain 'healthy.'
If you do get tested and receive a positive result (which 'killer doctors' will find), you are forced to take antiretroviral therapy — poisonous pills that cause various diseases and complications. According to deniers, encephalitis, pneumonia, and severe tuberculosis forms stem from these drugs, not HIV itself.
They claim this is all fabricated by the 'AIDS mafia' to launder huge sums of money off people's health. Living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding doctors supposedly keeps you safe.
One hallmark of sectarianism is explaining all phenomena through a single concept. Such conservative views provide certainty and control. When that sense of control is threatened, sect members defend their beliefs.
Alexey Karachinsky
This is a typical mindset of someone in a sect, except HIV deniers don't usually try to take others' money or property.
How Do They Survive Then?
Usually, not well or for long. On social media platforms like VKontakte, there are groups dedicated to combating HIV denial, where activists try to convince deniers with facts and monitor their outcomes.
Often, a person receives a shocking diagnosis without proper counseling at local AIDS centers but is prescribed medication. Seeking support online, they encounter deniers who discourage ART. While their body can cope, they live normally, but eventually fall ill, avoid disclosing their diagnosis, and by the time doctors recognize AIDS, it’s often too late.
Sadly, there are more tragic stories than happy ones: people disappear, stop engaging online, or report deaths of themselves or their children.
What About Their Children?
HIV deniers pose risks to their children by refusing antiretroviral therapy, which can lead to disability or death. In cities like Saint Petersburg and Tyumen, courts have prosecuted parents whose refusal of treatment led to their children's deaths.
What's Behind This Belief?
Believing anything is a personal right, even if harmful. However, HIV deniers actively promote their views, pushing others to reject treatment and hindering care for children.
Self-actualization is atop Maslow's hierarchy of needs. People seek recognition, depending on what that means to them. Active deniers feel like leaders exposing an 'AIDS mafia' conspiracy and genuinely believe they are improving the world.
Alexey Karachinsky
Historically, there was a case where a country's president was an HIV denier: Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. His disbelief led to the rollback of HIV programs, resulting in over 330,000 deaths.
HIV denialism is a deceptive way to profit from others' lives by selling ineffective medications and unhelpful books.
There are no shortcuts. Don't be fooled—get tested.
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