Discrimination, or fear of discrimination, is a very real thing. Stories from people with blood-borne viruses back this up.

People living with BBVs often experience discrimination as a result of the stigma related to a presumed mode of transmission, such as intravenous drug use.

Stigma is one of the main reasons people avoid monitoring and treatment. Stigma can make people feel ashamed and isolated and damage their self-esteem. This can result in people avoiding getting tested, receiving treatment and support, and can help the virus to spread, driving it underground.

Discrimination on the grounds of blood-borne viruses is illegal under Australian law: the Discrimination Act 1992 (Federal) and the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tasmania).