HIV: The Myths and Misconceptions

Posted on: Thu 15-08-2013

Barely 30 years, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDs, have been masked in many myths and misconceptions. Unfortunately, these erroneous beliefs have prompted the very behaviours that cause more people to become HIV-positive. Although unanswered questions about HIV remain, researchers have learned a great deal. Despite efforts of countries including Nigeria to check the spread of HIV, report shows that these myths have continued to fuel new infections.

However, researchers say knowing and overcoming these myths is a major key in stemming down the spread of the virus. Here are top 10 myths about HIV, along with the facts to dispute them.

I can get HIV by being around people who are HIV-positive: The evidence shows that HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, or saliva. You cannot catch HIV by breathing the same air as someone who is HIV-positive, touching a toilet seat or doorknob handle after an HIV-positive person, drinking from a water fountain, hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with someone who is HIV-positive, sharing eating utensils with an HIV-positive person and using exercise equipment at a gym. You can get it from infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or mother’s milk.

I don’t need to worry about becoming HIV positive — new drugs will keep me well: Yes, antiretroviral drugs are improving and extending the lives of many people who are HIV-positive. However, many of these drugs are expensive and produce serious side effects. None yet provides a cure. Also, drug-resistant strains of HIV make treatment an increasing challenge.

I can get HIV from mosquitoes: Because HIV is spread through blood, people have worried that biting or bloodsucking insects might spread HIV. Several studies, however, show no evidence to support this — even in areas with lots of mosquitoes and cases of HIV. When insects bite, they do not inject the blood of the person or animal they have last bitten. Also, HIV lives for only a short time inside an insect.

I’m HIV-positive — my life is over:

In the early years of the disease epidemic, the death rate from AIDs was extremely high. But today, antiretroviral drugs allow HIV-positive people — and even those with AIDS — to live much longer, normal, and productive lives.

AIDS is genocide: In one study as many as 30 percent of African-Americans and Latinos expressed the view that HIV was a government conspiracy to kill minorities. Instead, higher rates of infection in these populations may be due, in part, to a lower level of health care.

I’m straight and don’t use IV drugs — I won’t become HIV-positive:

Most men do become HIV-positive through sexual contact with other men or through injection drug use. However, about 16 percent of men and 78 percent of women become HIV-positive through heterosexual contact.

If I’m receiving treatment, I can’t spread the HIV virus: When HIV treatments work well, they can reduce the amount of virus in your blood to a level so low that it doesn’t show up in blood tests. Research shows, however, that the virus is still “hiding” in other areas of the body. It is still essential to practice safe sex so you won’t make someone else become HIV-positive.

My partner and I are both HIV positive — there’s no reason for us to practice safer sex: Practicing safer sex — wearing condoms or using dental dams — can protect you both from becoming exposed to other (potentially drug resistant) strains of HIV.

I could tell if my partner was HIV-positive: You can be HIV-positive and not have any symptoms for years. The only way for you or your partner to know if you are HIV-positive is to get tested.

You can’t get HIV from oral sex:

It is true that oral sex is less risky than some other types of sex. But you can get HIV by having oral sex with either a man or a woman who is HIV-positive. Always use a latex barrier during oral sex.

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