Photos show the struggles and triumphs of life with HIV

One of the major problems involved with HIV is the stigma surrounding the infection. Many people hold untrue beliefs of what a person with this illness must look or act like, and this can lead to people not getting tested for the sexually transmitted disease (STD) for fear of being judged. Recently, a new photography campaign was launched to take the veil off of what living with HIV is really like. 

Six weeks ago, more than 120 HIV-positive people took a picture of a moment in their day to highlight the struggles of living with this infection. Called "A Day with HIV in America," the pictures are available online at PositivelyAware.com.

"As I look at these photographs, I'm taken by both the common, day-to-day lives of everyone; people at home, with their families, at work," said Chuck Panozzo, the bassist of the band Styx who is also HIV-positive. "Yet there's a great sense of courage and strength."

The subjects of the photos include some recognizable faces, such as Illinois State Representative Greg Harris who is one of only two people in the state legislature who is HIV-positive.