HIV has not disappeared in Bermuda, even if it is rarely talked about in everyday conversation. New infections still occur, and many people quietly live with the virus while facing fear, judgement, and misinformation. By understanding the facts, listening to local health professionals, and talking openly about HIV, we can protect each other and move closer to the global goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.


Public health and nursing professionals in Bermuda standing together to raise HIV awareness
Bermuda’s public health team, including nurses, midwives and sexual and reproductive health co‑ordinators, working together to combat HIV stigma ahead of World AIDS Day.

This article looks at what local experts are saying, unpacks common HIV myths in Bermuda, and offers practical, evidence-based ways each of us can help reduce stigma, support people living with HIV, and prevent new infections.


Why Myths and Stigma Still Matter as HIV Cases Persist

Globally, health agencies have set an ambitious goal: by 2030, HIV should no longer be a major public health threat. Bermuda has made progress in treatment and prevention, but cases persist, and myths continue to circulate in families, workplaces, churches, and online spaces.

Stigma is not just about unkind words; it has real health consequences. When people fear being judged for getting tested or taking medication, they are more likely to delay care or hide their status, which can worsen their health and increase the chance of HIV transmission.

“Combating myths and misconceptions around HIV in Bermuda is absolutely crucial if we are going to reach the 2030 target. We have effective tools, but they only work when people feel safe to use them.”
— Local public health nurse, Bermuda

Public health leaders such as public health nurses, midwives, and sexual and reproductive health co‑ordinators have been clear: the virus itself is only part of the problem. Silence, shame, and outdated beliefs are often the bigger barriers.


HIV Transmission: Separating Fact from Fiction

One of the most persistent sources of anxiety in Bermuda is confusion about how HIV is actually transmitted. Accurate information can dramatically reduce unnecessary fear and help people focus on real risks.

How HIV transmitted

HIV is transmitted through specific body fluids from a person who has HIV:

  • Blood
  • Seminal fluid and pre‑seminal fluid (pre‑cum)
  • Vaginal fluids
  • Rectal fluids
  • Breast milk (from parent to child)

Most new infections occur through:

  1. Unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV and is not virally suppressed
  2. Sharing needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment
  3. From parent to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding when prevention is not used

How HIV is transmitted

HIV is not spread through everyday casual contact. You cannot get HIV from:

  • Hugging, shaking hands, or sitting next to someone
  • Sharing food, drinks, utensils, or using the same toilet
  • Coughing, sneezing, sweat, or tears
  • Swimming pools, the ocean, or public transport
  • Mosquitoes or other insects

Common HIV Myths in Bermuda (and the Truth Behind Them)

Local health workers in Bermuda repeatedly encounter a set of myths that keep people from getting tested or seeking care. Addressing these head‑on can protect both individuals and the wider community.

Health counsellor talking empathetically with a client about HIV testing
Honest, non‑judgemental conversations with trained health workers help clear up HIV myths and encourage testing.

Myth 1: “HIV is a death sentence.”

With modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV can have a near‑normal life expectancy, especially when diagnosed early and supported to stay in care. HIV is now managed as a chronic condition in many parts of the world, including Bermuda.

“When my patient first heard ‘HIV positive,’ she thought it meant she had only a few years to live. Ten years later, she is a mother, has a stable job, and her viral load has been undetectable for years.”
— Bermuda HIV clinic nurse (case example)

Myth 2: “I would know if I had HIV because I’d feel sick.”

Many people with HIV feel completely well for years. Symptoms, if they appear at all, may be mild and non‑specific (such as fatigue or swollen glands). The only way to know your status is to GET TESTED.

Myth 3: “Only certain groups get HIV.”

HIV does not discriminate. In Bermuda, as elsewhere, HIV affects people of different ages, genders, sexual orientations, and socio‑economic backgrounds. Focusing on “other” groups leads to complacency and missed opportunities for prevention.

Myth 4: “You can get HIV from kissing or sharing cutlery.”

There is no evidence that HIV is transmitted through saliva, casual kissing, or shared utensils. Deep, open‑mouth kissing would only be considered a theoretical risk if both people had significant bleeding in the mouth, which is extremely rare.


The Hidden Cost of Stigma in a Small Community

In a close‑knit place like Bermuda, where “everyone knows everyone,” people often worry that getting tested or seen at a particular clinic will lead to gossip. This fear can be as damaging as the virus itself.

Stigma shows up in different ways:

  • Whispering about someone’s status or speculating without facts
  • Avoiding casual contact with a person living with HIV
  • Judging people’s moral character because they have HIV
  • Blaming certain communities for “spreading” the virus

Research from the World Health Organization and UNAIDS consistently shows that stigma leads to:

  • Delays in HIV testing
  • Lower rates of treatment adherence
  • Worse mental health and higher stress for people living with HIV
  • Missed opportunities to prevent transmission

Modern HIV Care: From Fear to Effective Control

Advances in HIV science have transformed what it means to live with or at risk for HIV. Bermuda benefits from global research and guidelines, adapted to local needs by health authorities and clinicians.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression

ART involves taking a combination of medicines that:

  • Reduce the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load)
  • Protect the immune system
  • Greatly reduce the chance of passing HIV to others

When a person’s viral load is consistently undetectable, the risk of sexual transmission is effectively zero. This is often summarised as:

“Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)”

Pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

Bermuda, like many countries, is working to increase awareness of:

  • PrEP – HIV medication taken by people who are HIV‑negative but at higher risk, to prevent infection.
  • PEP – HIV medication taken within 72 hours after potential exposure (for example, a condom break or sexual assault) to reduce the chance of infection.
Antiretroviral medications in pill organizer as part of daily HIV treatment
Consistent use of antiretroviral therapy can suppress HIV to undetectable levels, protecting both personal health and partners.

From Fear to Confidence: The Difference Knowledge and Care Make

To understand how powerful accurate information and compassionate care can be, it helps to look at what changes when myths are replaced with facts.

Person sitting alone looking anxious before HIV counselling
Before: Many people face HIV testing with fear, isolation, and misconceptions.
Person smiling and talking with a healthcare professional after learning about HIV treatment options
After: With supportive counselling and clear information, people can make informed choices and feel hopeful about their health.

A midwife in Bermuda recently described a young pregnant woman who tested positive for HIV. Initially, the woman feared she would lose her baby and her community’s respect. With timely treatment, confidential support, and clear explanations, she delivered an HIV‑negative baby and continues to attend follow‑up care. Her story is not unusual when stigma is reduced and care is accessible.


Practical Steps You Can Take in Bermuda

Ending HIV as a public health problem by 2030 is not only a job for clinics and government. Every person in Bermuda can play a role. Here are practical, evidence‑informed ways to start.

1. Get informed from trusted sources

  • Read information from Bermuda’s Ministry of Health and local clinics.
  • Use reputable global sources such as the World Health Organization and UNAIDS .
  • Avoid relying on rumours, social media posts without references, or outdated materials.

2. Normalise HIV testing

  • Consider HIV testing as part of routine health check‑ups.
  • Encourage partners and friends to know their status without judgement.
  • Ask about confidential testing options if privacy is a concern.

3. Watch your language

  • Use phrases like “person living with HIV” rather than labels.
  • Avoid jokes or insults that use HIV as a punchline.
  • Challenge misinformation gently but firmly when you hear it.

4. Support people living with HIV

  • Listen without interrupting or judging.
  • Respect confidentiality; it is not your news to share.
  • Offer practical help, such as rides to appointments or help with childcare.

Common Obstacles in Bermuda — and How to Overcome Them

Even with good information, people in Bermuda face real barriers when it comes to HIV prevention, testing, and care. Recognising these barriers is the first step to addressing them.

Obstacle 1: Fear of being recognised at a clinic

In a small island community, many worry that visiting a particular clinic or service will lead to speculation about their status.

What can help:

  • Ask about anonymous or coded testing options where available.
  • Use general health appointments (for example, annual check‑ups or prenatal visits) to request HIV testing as part of standard bloodwork.
  • Support policies that protect patient privacy and confidentiality.

Obstacle 2: Moral judgement and shame

Some people still see HIV primarily through a moral lens rather than a health lens, which can lead to harsh judgement.

What can help:

  • Focus conversations on health, rights, and dignity rather than blame.
  • Highlight stories of resilience and responsible management of HIV.
  • Encourage faith and community groups to adopt compassionate, inclusive messaging.

Obstacle 3: Outdated information

People sometimes rely on information they heard decades ago, before modern treatments and prevention tools were available.

What can help:

  • Share updated facts on U=U, PrEP, PEP, and treatment advances.
  • Use World AIDS Day and other health campaigns as opportunities to bring information up to date in schools, workplaces, and community groups.

What Global and Local Experts Are Saying

Bermuda’s efforts are aligned with international strategies that emphasise testing, treatment, and the elimination of stigma and discrimination.

“Stigma and discrimination remain among the main obstacles to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care.”
— UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy

Scientific studies from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization show that:

  • Early testing and treatment significantly reduce illness and death from HIV‑related causes.
  • People who maintain an undetectable viral load do not sexually transmit HIV to their partners.
  • Community‑led education and peer support programmes improve treatment adherence and quality of life.

Local public health teams in Bermuda are using this evidence to guide outreach in schools, antenatal clinics, and community events around World AIDS Day and beyond.


At‑a‑Glance: Your Role in Ending HIV Stigma

Think of these as the “big four” actions that make a measurable difference at community level:

  1. Learn: Update your knowledge about HIV from reliable sources at least once a year.
  2. Test: Know your status and encourage your loved ones to do the same.
  3. Speak: Use respectful language and challenge stigma when it appears.
  4. Support: Stand beside people living with HIV—emotionally, socially, and practically.
Diverse group standing in a circle joining hands symbolising community support against HIV stigma
Collective action—learning, testing, speaking up, and supporting—helps Bermuda move closer to its goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.

Moving Forward: A Kinder, Better‑Informed Bermuda

HIV in Bermuda today is not the same as it was decades ago. Treatment is more effective, prevention tools are stronger, and the scientific evidence is clear: with timely testing, consistent care, and reduced stigma, people living with HIV can thrive, and new infections can be dramatically reduced.

What has not changed enough is how openly and kindly we talk about HIV. Each conversation in a home, school, workplace, or church is an opportunity to replace fear with facts and judgement with support.

Your next steps:

  • Schedule an HIV test if you do not know your current status.
  • Share at least one accurate resource about HIV with a friend or family member.
  • Notice and gently challenge any stigmatizing comments you hear this week.

By taking small, consistent actions, you help ensure that people living with HIV in Bermuda are seen, respected, and supported—and you move the island closer to meeting the 2030 global goal of ending HIV as a public health problem.