Under the slogan “Isolate AIDS, not its victims”, the Dutch AIDS Foundation has launched a campaign to help remove the stigma attached to HIV patients.

Research conducted by market research institute TNS NIPO has shown that anyone infected with the virus has experienced some form of negative reaction.

Ignorance plays a major role in people’s reaction to the virus – 41 percent of Dutch people think that HIV  can be contracted by tongue-kissing, while 15 percent believe that playing a team sport with someone infected with the virus poses a risk.

The campaign will be officially launched by Education and Science Minister Ronald Plasterk later today. Famous personalities, such as TV chat show host Jeroen Pauw, actress-presenter Sophie Hilbrand and football player Ryan Babel, are supporting the campaign.