We are well aware of the fact that HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) have been shrouded in myths and misconceptions. The situation is even worse in our part of the world where it is still considered a taboo to even talk about this disease. For many reasons, AIDS is a disease that is commonly misunderstood and, as a result, unduly feared. Having correct information is the key to understanding and preventing HIV/AIDS. Following are the facts about some of the most common myths and misconceptions about the pandemic.
Myth: Living around HIV positive people can be very dangerous.
Fact: You can only get HIV if you are exposed to blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or mother’s milk from an HIV-infected person. There is no record of HIV transmission through tears or saliva. So if you are around people infected with HIV, there is no danger of becoming infected with the virus by: breathing the same air as them; eating food handled, prepared, or served by them; sharing toilets, phones, or clothing with them; sharing forks, spoons, knives, or drinking glasses with them; and touching, hugging or kissing them.
Myth: HIV-infected pregnant women always pass HIV on to their babies.
Fact: Mother-to-infant transmission is one way HIV can spread. HIV-infected pregnant women who are not treated for the disease have about a one in four chance of passing the infection to their babies. When both mother and infant receive proper treatment and care before, during, and after birth, there is only about a 1 to 2% chance that an infected mother will pass HIV to her child.
Myth: I can get HIV from mosquito bites.
Fact: Although HIV can be spread though blood, there is no evidence that mosquito bites can transmit HIV, even in areas where there are many HIV-infected persons and lots of mosquitoes. In fact, when mosquitoes bite, they don’t inject the blood of the person or animal they have last bitten.
Myth: My partner and I are both HIV positive - there’s no reason for us to practice safer sex.
Fact: Practicing safer sex - wearing condoms - can protect you both from becoming exposed to other (potentially drug resistant) strains of HIV.
Myth: I am HIV-positive — my life is over.
Fact: 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.
Myth: I have HIV. I shouldn’t start drug therapy until I get very sick.
Fact: Even when you are feeling great, HIV is already attacking your body. When you finally start feeling sick, HIV has already hurt your immune system. At that point, nothing can bring it fully back to normal. To protect your immune system, most experts think you should start HIV medicines before you become very ill. Because these drugs reduce your ‘viral load’, or the amount of virus in your blood, they also reduce your chances of passing HIV to others. However, taking HIV treatment does not guarantee that you will not infect others. Regular checkups will help you and your doctor decide the best time for you to start treatment.
Myth: Women can’t transmit HIV to men.
Fact: It is much harder for men to get HIV from women, but it does happen. HIV does not live long outside the body. A man’s penis is only exposed to HIV for the time that it is in a vagina or rectum. Men also may have fewer areas on the penis where the virus can enter the body. HIV can enter at the opening of the tip and through cuts or sores on the shaft. But if a partner has an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI) like syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia, the risk is higher. These infections can bring more CD4 cells to the area of infection, or cause breaks in the skin, both increasing the risk of passing HIV. Meanwhile, women have a higher risk of getting HIV from men. Because HIV is in the man’s semen, which can stay in the woman’s vagina for days, her exposure time is longer after sex. Also, the vagina provides a much larger area than the penis does through which HIV can enter the woman’s body.
Myth: I don’t need to worry about becoming HIV positive - new drugs will keep me well.
Fact: 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.
Preventive measures:
Anybody can get HIV, but you can take steps to protect yourself from HIV infection. The most important step of all is to get tested and to know your partner’s HIV status. Talk to your partner about HIV testing and get tested before you have sex before or after marriage. Get tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and insist that your partner gets it done too. Having an STI can increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV. Use condoms every time you have sex. You can also talk to your health care provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is an HIV prevention method that involves taking an HIV medicine every day. PrEP is intended for people who don’t have HIV but who are at high risk of sexually transmitted HIV infection. PrEP should always be combined with other prevention methods, including use of condom.
If a person has been exposed to the virus, it is crucial that they get tested as soon as possible. The earlier HIV is detected, the more likely the treatment will be successful. Also, precautions can be taken to prevent the virus from spreading to other people. After infection with HIV, it can take up from three weeks to three months for the virus to show up in testing. Re-testing may be necessary.
