10 Harry Potter Fan Theories Confirmed By JK Rowling
8. Lycanthropy Is HIV
Every character in the Harry Potter series is more than what they appear to be, with their names and backstories suggesting deeper meanings or metaphors. Remus Lupin, who's name is the giveaway that I somehow managed to miss for most of the The Prisoner of Azkaban novel, is a Werewolf. But rather than a pure, dumb beast, fan theories reckoned that his story was meant to be a stand-in for the stigma around HIV and AIDS.
Rowling was quick to confirm that this was always meant to be the case. She stated that blood borne illnesses have always come with prejudice in this respect the magical world would be no different than the Muggle one. After his bite, Lupin was condemned to a life of people assuming the worst and blaming the infection on his own foolishness.
In the novels, we see how this plays out. He's often out of work and unable to support himself. On top of this, he doesn't have access to the Wolfsbane potion that allows him to manage his condition, which is a fairly blunt depiction of the failings of Muggle health care systems around the world. He even blames himself for getting the bite, though Rowling also confirmed via Pottermore that it was in no way his fault.
There isn't much improvement for werewolves by the end of the Deathly Hallows, so like life, one just has to hope that things will continue to get better for innocent victims.