A married woman was tested for HIV in a medical check-up prior to tubectomy. She tested positive. The result was conveyed to the aunt who accompanied her, and the operation was cancelled. The aunt spread the news that the woman had 'AIDS' to relatives and neighbours. People stopped coming to their house, and those who did refused to drink even water there. When the husband confronted the aunt about this changed behaviour, she said, "Your wife has AIDS, that devil (the wife) will die and also take you along with her." Timely support from a neighbour, who knew of services for HIV, helped them to recover from the shock and to seek support.