Dispelling 3 myths about HIV/AIDS

01. Dec, 2008 6 Comments

Today is Word Aids Day. Being a member of Bloggers Unite, I am writing about this topic today to help spread awareness. My contribution? Dispelling a few common myths regarding Aids.

Myth #1: HIV and AIDS are the same thing.

Many people are under the misconception that the terms HIV and AIDS are interchangeable. This can be a deadly mistake—HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. In simplified terms, HIV is the actual infection itself. HIV is not AIDS. AIDS is what happens when the immune system becomes compromised, leading the way to infections that are mainly harmless to the average person. Using a very simple analogy, it’s like a healthy person catching a cold and having it turn into a sinus infection. Except a sinus infection won’t kill you.

If detected early and treated properly, HIV doesn’t escalate to AIDS for years, and in some cases, decades. The best example is, of course, Magic Johnson. He was diagnosed with HIV back in 1991. That’s 17 years ago, and he is still AIDS-free.

Myth #2: You can catch HIV by casual contact.

Again, this is untrue. HIV/AIDS is spread through bodily fluids, and mainly through bodily fluids that are very personal in nature, such as:

  • semen;
  • vaginal fluid;
  • blood;
  • other bodily fluids containing blood (for example menses or bloody saliva);
  • breast milk.

So unless you consider sex, blood transfusions, or giving birth casual contact, you’re okay talking to someone with HIV and/or AIDS. Hell, you can even shake their hand or give them a hug.

Here’s how you can contract HIV:

  • having unprotected sex (of ANY kind) with someone infected;
  • sharing needles or syringes with someone infected;
  • getting an infected blood transfusion (very rare).

Myth #3: HIV can infect only homosexual men and drug users.

This is the most dangerous of the HIV/AIDS myths out there. HIV/AIDS can infect anyone. HIV does not care if you are white, black, gay, straight, Buddhist or Catholic. If you engage in high-risk sexual practices, are a drug user sharing needles and syringes (or both) HIV may eventually find you.

There are more myths out there, both old and new. (I like the “sex with a virgin will cure HIV. That’s a good one.) Do some research. Be informed.

Learn More

The Center for AIDS Prevention
AIDS, Sex, and Teens
The Body: the Complete HIV/AIDS resource
Ryan White’s Story

Do More

Buy (RED)
ONE
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
International HIV/AIDS Alliance

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6 Responses to “Dispelling 3 myths about HIV/AIDS”

  1. Lyndi Reply 02. Dec, 2008 at 1:48 am

    This one took me by surprise. Something different for a change. Being informed about HIV/AIDS will always be the best weapon in the fight against this dreaded disease. It was good to be reminded of these things again.

    Lyndis last blog post..Blog Review: Nihar’s World

  2. Raiza Reply 02. Dec, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    This is precisely the reason why proper information dissemination is the key to lessening threats of any kind, be it to our health, financial status, etc. People will not grow afraid of something they know they can prevent…

  3. Web-Betty Reply 02. Dec, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    Thanks for the feedback. I know this post was off-topic, but as a blogger, sometimes it’s necessary to stray. :)

  4. Monica Reply 07. Dec, 2008 at 5:12 pm

    I have someone very close to me that is HIV positive. I’d like to thank you for getting this information out there.

    Hugs,

    Mon

    Monicas last blog post..Fun at the Nichols, Ford, and Sharp Home

  5. Web-Betty Reply 11. Dec, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Hi Mon,

    Thanks for stopping by. I, too, have someone close to me who is HIV positive. I also have 2 small boys and never once have I worried about them being around him. Ignorance is just as much a disease as HIV.