Research on persons infected with HIV is critically assessed by using the notions developed in the sociology of illness. Has this research stimulated new questions or led to reformulations in research paradigms? Methodological problems related to data collection are pointed out, namely: the recruitment of HIV-positive participants for such studies and the stance they adopt during interviews. The contributions made by studies that have focused on adjustment strategies or resorted to the notions of stigmatization, identity and illness trajectory are also discussed. In conclusion, questions are raised about what implications the new HIV/AIDS treatments will have on this field of social science research.