Some Common Myths Associated With HIV/AIDS And The Truth Behind It
There are a lot of fears and more so, rumors about HIV. The facts around these rumors are simple, yet its myths hound people greatly. To save yourself the unnecessary anxiety, read here the most common myths that surround HIV, and review what exactly the fact is.
Here’s a quick insight into the myths related to this most dreaded infection.
#Myth 1 People with HIV can’t have babies safely
Fact: This concern isn’t entirely baseless for the HIV-infected people who wish to have children. Having said that, HIV-positive women can still give birth to HIV-negative children with the help of right treatment.
#Myth 2 HIV always leads to AIDS
Fact: HIV infection can cause AIDS, but not necessarily all HIV-infected people will develop AIDS. As the name suggests, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS is associated with weakened immunity. If an HIV-infected maintains a sound immune system with early treatment, AIDS can very well be prevented.
#Myth 3 Kissing causes HIV AIDS
Fact: Time and again different research and studies have proved that kissing doesn’t cause HIV AIDS, for the reason that it isn’t spread through saliva. However, there are certain STDs like Herpes, Syphilis that can spread through kissing. But the most important point to bear in mind is that these STDs become a possibility only in the presence of open sores around the mouth.
#Myth 4 Mosquitoes or bloodsucking insects cause HIV
Fact: This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. A mosquito or any insect, for that matter, sucks the blood, when it bites. It doesn’t inject the blood of the last person it bit. So, mosquito bites can surely cause malaria, chikungunya, dengue, but not HIV.
#Myth 5 HIV is a risk for certain groups
Fact: HIV, like most infections, doesn’t discriminate between people. Those who engage in risky activities such as injecting drugs, or unprotected sex with multiple partners, are simply more prone to HIV infection.
Takeaway
The utmost truth regarding HIV infection is that one can get it only from infected body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk) in the following ways:
- Unprotected sex
- Injecting drugs with an infected needle
- Infected blood donation or organ transplant
- From mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
So, don’t believe anyone who says that touching, kissing, hugging, or shaking hands with an HIV-positive person can transmit the infection.
HIV is not a death sentence. With advanced technology, medical science has come up with extremely effective therapies and drugs that enable the HIV-infected people to lead a normal life. In this regard, remember that precaution is always safer and cheaper than cure. So, better stay informed to stay safe!
For any queries related to HIV AIDS or STDs, you can consult an HIV AIDS Specialist at www.healthcaremagic.com
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