Since the 1980s, AIDS and HIV has had many misconceptions and stigmas. Though awareness and proper education has helped combat these stigmas and myths, they still exist. But it’s vital to know the truth about HIV and AIDS both to help treat it and to avoid getting/spreading it.
Myth: HIV and AIDS are the same thing.
Though HIV and AIDS go hand-in-hand, they have different diagnoses. HIV is the virus that leads to the AIDS condition. However, HIV does not always cause AIDS.
AIDS causes a damaged immune system, and its symptoms often reflect infections that a person catches and can’t fight off. HIV, on the other hand, causes flu-like symptoms for about 2-4 weeks. It then enters a latent period during which you may have no symptoms while your body fights the effects, even though it cannot eliminate it.
Myth: HIV and AIDS is a death sentence.
Not necessarily. This used to be the case, before proper treatment. However, with modern medicine, many people live with HIV and have long, productive lives. These people go many years without developing AIDS.
Once AIDS develops, however, life expectantly does drop. This is because fixing your immune system can be extremely difficult, and infections and cancers can more easily crop up.
Myth: You can get HIV from casual contact.
This kind of casual contact includes touching, kissing, hugging, sharing food or drink, insect bites, toilet seats, bathing, or coughs/sneezes. You also cannot get HIV from someone who does not have it.
You can, however, get HIV from unprotected sex, injecting drugs with a shared needle, infected blood or organ donations, and other blood-to-blood contact.
Myth: You can cure HIV with certain sexual practices.
There are many myths about HIV’s cure or prevention. Among these include:
Washing up after sex
Sex with a virgin
“Pulling out”
Contraceptives
Only condoms and PrEP when used correctly can protect you from HIV transmission.
Myth: If both you and your partner have HIV, you don’t have to use protection.
This would be true if HIV had only one strain. However, there are multiple strains. You may run the risk of catching more than one type of HIV and thus complicating your treatment. Even if you and your partner have HIV, continue using condoms and other forms of protection.
Myth: Only certain groups of people can get HIV.
While it’s true that some people’s risk is higher because of lifestyle behaviors, everyone can contract HIV if it gets into their bloodstream as mentioned above. No group of people is immune or will have a lower chance of getting sick even if it gets into their bloodstream.
Myth: It’s easy to see HIV symptoms.
Because there are different strains, and because of the virus’s varying severity, HIV symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people with HIV may not show any symptoms at all.
If you suspect you have HIV or if you’ve been told you may have it, go see your doctor right away. Treatment can keep the virus from becoming worse and damaging your immune system.