Myths and Misunderstandings About HIV-AIDS

Myths and misunderstandings about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), has lasted for 30 years. In some cases, this mistaken idea has encouraged the behavior that causes more people to become HIV positive. Although unanswered questions remain about HIV, researchers have learned a lot. Here are ten myths about HIV, together with the facts of their dispute.

Myth No. 1: I can get HIV by being around people who are HIV positive.
The evidence indicates that HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, or saliva. You can not contract HIV by:
* Breathing the same air with someone who is HIV-positive
* Touching a toilet door knob or handle after HIV-positive people
* Drinking from the fountain
* Hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with someone who is HIV-positive
* Sharing eating utensils with an HIV-positive
* Use exercise equipment in gym
You can get it from infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk.

Myth No. 2: I do not have to worry about being HIV positive - new drugs will make me be good.
Yes, antiretroviral drugs improve the lives of many people who are HIV positive. However, many of these drugs are expensive and produce serious side effects. In addition, the drug-resistant HIV treatment makes the challenge increases.

Myth No. 3: I can get HIV from mosquitoes.
Because HIV is transmitted through blood, people are worried that the biting or bloodsucking insects might spread HIV. Some studies, however, showed no evidence to support this - even in areas with lots of mosquitoes and cases of AIDS. When an insect bite, they do not inject the blood of people or animals that they last bite. In addition, HIV lives for only a short time in the insects.

Myth No. 4: I'm HIV positive - my life was over.
In the early years of the plague, the death rate from AIDS is very high. But today, ARV enables HIV-positive people - and even people with AIDS - to live much longer. In fact, 2000-2004, the number of people living with AIDS increased by 30%.

Myth No. 5: AIDS is genocide.
In one study, as many as 30% of African-Americans and Latin expressed the view that HIV is a government conspiracy to kill minorities. In contrast, infection rates are higher in this population may be due, in part, to a lower level of health care.

Myth No. 6: I am straight and do not use IV drugs - I'm not going to be HIV positive.
Most men become HIV positive through sex with other men, or through injection drug use. However, approximately 16% of men and 78% of women become HIV positive through heterosexual contact.

Myth No. 7: If I receive treatment, I can not spread the HIV virus.
As HIV treatment works well, they can reduce the amount of virus in your blood to very low levels that do not appear in the blood test. Research shows, however, that the virus is still "hiding" in other areas of the body. It is still important to practice safe sex so you will not make other people become HIV positive.

Myth No. 8: My partner and I are both HIV positive - there is no reason for us to practice safer sex.
Practice safer sex - use condoms, can protect you both get another strain of HIV.

Myth No. 9: I can tell if my partner is HIV positive.
You can be HIV-positive and do not have any symptoms for years. The only way for you or your partner to find out whether you are HIV positive with a test

Myth No. 10: You can not get HIV from oral sex.
It is true that oral sex is less risky than some kind of sex. But you can get HIV by having oral sex with a man or a woman who was HIV positive. Always use a latex barrier during oral sex.