HOAX +HIV

It really makes me sad to see the sort of HOAX that some people are prepared to develop based on thier own fear and hatred of issues around sexual health. Below is an email HOAX that has been going around: Please read it and see it for the hate and fear mongering that it is. After you read it please read the response by SHineSA Coordinator of Medical Education - Katrina Allen

"Its a sick world we live in!!What a world we live in........A few weeks ago in a movie theatre in Melbourne a person sat on something that was poking out of one of the seats.When she got up to see what it was she found a needle sticking out Of the seat with a note attached saying a quote; 'You have just been infected by HIV' quote.The Disease control Centre in Melbourne reports many similar incidents have occurred in many other Australian cities recently.All tested needles are HIV Positive.The Centre also reports that needles have been found in the cash dispensers in ATMs. We ask everyone to use extreme caution when faced with this kind of situation. All public chairs/seats should be inspected with vigilance and caution before use.17 people have been tested positive in the Western suburbs alone in the last 2 months!!! A careful visual inspection should be enough.In addition they ask that each of you pass this message along to all members of your family and your friends of the potential danger. We all have to be careful at public places! This is very important.Just think about saving a life of someone even you don't know by forwarding this message. Please, take a few seconds of your time to pass it along.Australian Red Cross Blood ServicePh: (08) 94212877 Fax: (08)94212366 "

Dear all,
You can see from the exchange below this is a hoax, as we have already been notified.
I guess for me there is the important issue of the particular venom shown towards HIV infected people, which in our world feeds into homophobia and xenophobia (fear of strangers)/ racism. My experience of those who are HIV infected is that they are scrupulously careful to protect other people from the risk of infection even to the point of refusing attempts to stop bleeding until you can find some gloves.
The net is a wonderful thing but can inflame our fears as well as our joys (see extreme sheepherding - but you may need to do it at home as you need the music!)
Cheers Katrina