A social stigma is a negative characteristic associated with a person or a group of people. These markings are not based on factual information or logical conclusions but on assumptions. Often these assumptions are triggered by the way people talk, look, or act. A stigma can lead to misidentifying peoples' actions or intentions which can, in the worst case, limit their freedom and/or wellbeing. An example of a social stigma is the belief that a person living with HIV is somehow ‘dirty’ or ‘immoral’, and that you should avoid any close physical contact with them.