Myth: HIV doesn’t cause AIDS.
Reality: There is overwhelming scientific evidence and medical consensus that the disease we call AIDS is caused by the virus we call HIV. Scientists have been able to document how HIV-infected cells attack the immune system and causes the symptoms of AIDS. HIV is measurable in the blood of an infected individual, and anti-retroviral medicationS have CLEARLY been shown to suppress the virus, and improve the symptoms of AIDS.
Myth: Because of anti-retroviral medications, we no longer need to be concerned about HIV/AIDS.
Reality: Anti-retroviral medications are a great leap forward in the fight against HIV. But they are not a cure!If your doctor prescribes anti-retroviral medications, you will have to take every dose on schedule, to minimize the risk that the HIV in your body will develop resistance to the medication. Additionally, in developing countries,
HIV/AIDS is continuing to spread, not only in Africa, but increasingly in India, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union. Clearly the world has not yet experienced the full global impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on politics, economics, and the livelihood of those most affected.
Myth: If you have HIV already, and are sexually active, you no longer need to practice safer ***.
Reality: HIV positive individuals who choose to be sexually active need to practice safer ***, to reduce the risk that their HIV negative partner will become infected.
When both partners are HIV positive, they ALSO need to practice safer ***, to protect THEMSELVES from contracting eachother’s strain of HIV, a possibly more aggressive form, and a drug-resistant strain of HIV. If a person is HIV positive and chooses to be sexually active, it is important for them to inform their partners. Additionally, it is VITAL to practice safer *** with EACH sexual encounter.
Myth: You can’t contract HIV through oral ***.
Reality: Although the risk of spreading HIV through oral *** may not be quite as high, as through some other sexual practices, such as vaginal or anal ***, the risk is still there! There are documented cases of people who only engaged in oral ***, and nonetheless, contracted HIV as a result. Therefore, people who choose to be sexually active should reduce their riskvia condoms for men, and dental dams for women.
Myth: You can’t get HIV from one sexual encounter.
Reality: There are documented cases of individuals who contracted HIV from ONE sexual encounter, because their partner was HIV positive, and they had unprotected ***.
ANYONE who is HIV positive is capable of infecting their sexual partners, and you can’t tell if a person is HIV positive by looking at them. So if you choose to be sexually active, remember that you can contract HIV from even a SINGLE sexual encounter, and it is VITAL to use condoms!
Myth: A woman cannot spread HIV to another woman by having *** with her.
Reality: Although the risk of an HIV positive woman infecting another woman by having *** is LOWER, the risk is still not zero! If a woman is HIV positive, her vaginal fluids contains HIV, and it IS possible for her to infect her partner. If a person is HIV positive, and chooses to be sexually active, it is important for them to inform their partners. Additionally, it is VITAL to practice safer *** with EACH sexual encounter.
Myth: If you are HIV positive, but your HIV viral load is undetectable, you cannot spread HIV.
Reality: ANYONE who is HIV positive can spread the virus to their sexual partners.
It’s true that if your viral load is lower, your risk of spreading HIV is lower, but the risk is not zero!If you are HIV positive, and you chose to be sexually active, no matter how healthy you may feel, or how low your viral load may be, you MUST inform your partners in advance of your status, so they are fully informed, and you can work together to reduce the risk of spreading HIV.
Myth: AIDS can be spread by kissing, hugging, or shaking hands.
Reality: Though there are other means of transmission, there are four primary ways that HIV spreads: Through sexual contact, sharing needles, through injection drug use, blood transfusions, and from mother to child.
You CAN’T contract HIV By kissing a person, hugging them, or shaking their hands. You CAN’T contract HIV from working with an individual, or living with them.
Myth: If you have HIV, you can cure it by having *** with a virgin.
Reality: There is currently NO CURE for HIV.
The myth that you can cure HIV/AIDS is prevalent in some parts of Africa, and has even led to incidents where HIV positive men rape young women or girls, in the hope of curing their HIV.
Myth: Every individual with HIV will eventually develop AIDS.
Reality: There is a group of individuals with HIV who have NOT progressed to AIDS, despite being infected for over 20 years! Some appear to have a natural ability to suppress the virus in their body, without medications. Others may have acquired a weaker strain of the virus. Still others took medications before their T-cells dropped below 200, and therefore do not have an “AIDS diagnosis.”
Regardless of the circumstance, time will tell whether it continues to be possible for an individual to remain HIV positive without progressing to AIDS. These are just ten common myths about HIV and AIDS. There are many more! No matter who you are, it is important to have correct information about HIV/AIDS. You are a valuable individual and your life MATTERS! As do the lives of those in your community. Take care of yourself, and those around you! Make healthy choices that eliminate or reduce your risk of contracting HIV. Please watch the other videos on this site, to learn more about HIV and AIDS, and how to protect yourself and others.
RELATED LINKS:
Introduction to HIV And AIDS What You Need to Know
Do I Have AIDS? Signs and Symptoms of AIDS
HIV And AIDS may be prevented by new lubricant
What you should know about HIV testing
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER!!!
Always have SAFE S3X! Always wear a condom!
AIDS - Myths & Truths
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