HIV+ advocate Aoife Commins: 'People jump to conclusions before they hear my full story'

The Galway healthcare professional discusses her hopes of opening up wider conversations about the immune condition, and cast aside outdated perceptions

Aoífe Commins: After receiving a diagnosis of HIV, the Galway healthcare professional has sought to address longstanding stigma around the condition. Pic: Hany Marzouk

“I went to my clinic in Galway, and I spoke with my nurse. I’d just come out of a long-term relationship, and I was feeling very lonely. I didn't know anyone else who was positive, and I was feeling very frustrated, and very let down about the fact that there was so much stigma, so little education around HIV. So I said, 'I need to do something'.” 

On the other end of a Zoom call, Galwegian nurse and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) advocate Aoife Commins is a ball of energy and enthusiasm, talking about what spurred her on to reach out to the PozVibe podcast, a regular online audio show for people with the immune condition in Ireland, in April of this year.