Since the HIV epidemic began in the 1980s, the disease has carried a stigma that has destroyed lives and families. There are many reasons why HIV has such a negative image in society, due to the nature of the disease, the way it is transmitted, and society's views on bad things that happen to people because of their choices. As a society, we must work to accept the reality of HIV in an effort to remove the stigma surrounding a life-threatening disease. One of the initial reactions people have to bad news about someone sick is to question whether they plan to. die. In the case of HIV, it is well known that HIV can lead to AIDS and that AIDS can lead to death. In America, death is a sad topic that is often ignored. Nobody wants to talk about when they're going to die, especially if it's dying young. An HIV-infected individual should tell their parents and family that they may die soon. Some parents may react negatively and ignore the fact that their child has an illness that could lead to an early death. For some people, it's too much for them to listen to...