Woman Living with HIV for 23 Years Shares Challenges of Intimacy, Dispels contagion myths
Milan, Italy – November 30, 2025 - Elena Di Cioccio is speaking out about the ongoing stigma surrounding HIV, detailing the difficulties she faces explaining her status – and lack of transmissibility – to potential partners. For 23 years, Di Cioccio has lived with HIV, and now, with advancements in treatment allowing those with an undetectable viral load to not transmit the virus, she’s navigating the complex landscape of intimacy and disclosure. Her story highlights a critical gap in public understanding and the emotional toll the virus continues to take on those living with it, even in the era of effective treatment.
Despite medical consensus that individuals with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load through antiretroviral therapy cannot sexually transmit the virus – often referred to as “Undetectable = untransmittable” or U=U - misconceptions persist. This leads to important anxiety and challenges for people like Di Cioccio when entering into new relationships. “How difficult it is indeed to explain in the bedroom that I am no longer contagious,” she stated, encapsulating the burden of constantly educating and reassuring partners. The emotional labor of disclosure, coupled with the fear of rejection, remains a ample barrier to healthy sexual lives for many living with HIV.
Di Cioccio’s experience underscores the need for broader public health campaigns to disseminate accurate data about HIV transmission and treatment. While significant progress has been made in combating the virus, stigma continues to fuel discrimination and hinder prevention efforts. According to UNAIDS, approximately 39 million people globally were living with HIV in 2023, and despite advancements, new infections continue to occur. Increased awareness of U=U is crucial to dismantling harmful stereotypes and empowering individuals living with HIV to live full and healthy lives,free from fear and judgment.
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