HomeHealth articleshivHIV and AIDS - Myths and Facts

HIV and AIDS - Myths and Facts

Verified dataVerified data
0
HIV and AIDS - Myths and Facts

4 min read

Share

There are a lot of myths about HIV transmission. This article will provide facts and truth about the most common myths surrounding HIV infection.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Published At May 23, 2019
Reviewed AtOctober 18, 2022

Introduction:

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths about the transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the survival rate, and the treatment. The right information is the key to understanding and preventing HIV and AIDS and can help an individual lead a better life. Through years of research on HIV infection, researchers have come to conclusions that can burst the myths about HIV.

What Are the Myths and Facts About HIV Transmission?

The myths and facts about HIV transmissions are discussed below:

1. Myth:A person Can Get HIV from Hugging, Touching, or Shaking Hands with an HIV-Patient.

Fact: This is not true. HIV does not spread through skin contact. It only gets transmitted if a person comes in contact with an infected person's blood, breast milk, vaginal fluid, and semen. In addition, for a person to get infected, these body fluids need to come in contact with mucous membranes, like the vagina, rectum, penis, or mouth, and the risk increases if there is a tear in the skin.

2. Myth: HIV Can Spread Through Mosquito Bites.

Fact: As the HIV virus is spread through blood, it is believed that HIV can be transmitted by mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects. But this is not true, as mosquitoes do not inject the blood of the person they bit before biting an individual, and also the virus cannot survive for a long time inside them.

3. Myth: HIV Cannot Spread Through Oral Sex.

Fact: The chances of the virus spreading through oral sex are extremely low, and HIV gets transmitted in 0 to 4 in 10,000 oral sex acts. So, a condom should always be used during oral sex with an HIV-positive male or female.

4. Myth: Heterosexual (Straight) People Cannot Get Infected with HIV.

Fact: The risk of transmission is higher in homosexual people, but an individual can still get infected if they are heterosexual. Unprotected sex with an HIV-infected male or female can spread the infection. The infection can also spread by sharing needles or other injectable equipment that is contaminated with HIV.

5. Myth: It Is Safe to Have Unprotected Sex with People Who Do Not Look Sick.

Fact: As the virus slowly affects the immune system, different people start having symptoms early, and some do not show any symptoms for years. They will not even know that they are infected. So, having unprotected sex with an individual who does not look sick and whose HIV status is unknown is risky.

6. Myth: It Is Inevitable to Prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission.

Fact: The spread of HIV from an HIV-infected mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding is called mother-to-child transmission. If the mother takes antiretroviral medication as prescribed by her doctor and follows all precautions, the risk decreases significantly. With all the advancements in antiretroviral medicines, the chances of HIV transmission to the baby is less than 1 in 100 births.

7. Myth: It Is Safe for an HIV-Positive Couple to Have Unprotected Sex.

Fact: There are a lot of strains of HIV, and it is not necessary that an individual and their partner are infected with the same strain. Unprotected sex can infect a person with the other strain also, which results in superinfection or reinfection. The new strain of HIV might be resistant to antiretroviral medicines, making the health deteriorate.

8. Myth: HIV Can Be Transmitted by Infected Food and Water.

Fact: HIV cannot be transmitted from food and water that has been contaminated with blood or if an HIV-positive person cooks it. HIV cannot survive in water, the hot temperatures of the food, and the acidic environment of the stomach.

9. Myth: Circumcision Prevents the Spread of HIV.

Fact: It is true that circumcision reduces the risk of infection by up to 60 %, but it does nothing to prevent it.

10. Myth: Birth Control Pills Prevent HIV Infection.

Fact: Birth control pills only prevent a woman from getting pregnant after unprotected sex, but if the partner is HIV-positive, the woman can still get infected even if she is on the pill.

What Are the General Myths About HIV?

The various myths and facts are listed below:

1. Myth: HIV Does Not Cause AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Deficiency syndrome), and HIV Was Invented in a Laboratory.

Fact: Not true at all. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, where the person is infected with one or more opportunistic infections. HIV was not invented in a laboratory but is believed to be transmitted from infected chimpanzees to men in the early 1950s during hunting.

2. Myth: A Person Diagnosed with HIV Infection Is Doomed.

Fact: This was the case in the early 80s and 90s, as the disease was not well understood then. With numerous research and advancement in HIV treatment, an individual can live an almost normal life.

3. Myth:There Is a Cure for HIV and AIDS.

Fact: Not true. Antiretroviral treatment cannot cure HIV infection, but it just keeps the viral load under control. There is much research going on to find a cure, but as of now, there is no approved cure.

What Are the Myths About HIV Treatment?

The myths and facts about HIV treatment are discussed below:

1. Myth:HIV Medicines Are Responsible for the Death of an HIV-Positive Person and Not AIDS.

Fact: HIV, if left untreated, can be fatal in under ten years. Antiretroviral drugs help keep the viral load in the body to the minimum, thus preventing the destruction of the body's immune system. Without medicines, the body will be susceptible to thousands of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections.

2. Myth: As the Newer Drugs Are Powerful, It Is Okay to Stop the Medicine for Some Time.

Fact: Anindividual should not stop taking antiretroviral drugs if they are experiencing some side effects or are tired of taking them. Consult the doctor, as he or she might prescribe a different drug with fewer side effects. Stopping the medicine may cause the virus to grow and acquire resistance or compromise the immune system.

To know more about HIV and AIDS, consult an HIV and AIDS specialist. You can post your queries regarding the same on Icliniq.

Conclusion:

HIV infection is a life-threatening illness. The fear of HIV is even more dangerous than the infection. Many myths have been spread in society because of the lack of correct knowledge about this infection. Therefore, if a person has accurate knowledge regarding HIV, their fear will diminish, and their awareness will rise.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Are There Any Effective Treatments Available for HIV?

Currently, there is no cure for HIV and AIDS. If one has an infection, the body cannot get rid of it. However, numerous drugs can manage HIV and avoid side effects. Antiretroviral therapy is the name given to these drugs (ART).

2.

What Strategies Can Be Used to Cope With the Stress Associated With HIV?

Ensure well-being. Make sure to eat healthily and get enough sleep. Try exercising or engaging in another form of physical activity when one feels anxious, angry, or upset. Discussing the thoughts and concerns with someone is beneficial and good.

3.

Can One Get HIV If Someone Puts Blood in the Food?

HIV transmission can happen when a baby eats food that has been mixed with blood from an HIV-positive caregiver's mouth while the caregiver is chewing. However, eating food touched by an HIV-positive person won't make you contract the disease.

4.

Can HIV Patients Lead A Normal Life?

The fact of the matter is that with a few simple precautions, people with HIV can maintain relationships, engage in sexual activity, and lead everyday lives. In addition, even though there is no treatment for HIV, there are medications that can help those who have it live longer, healthier lives.

5.

How Can I Reduce My Viral Load without Treatment?

It is exceedingly unusual to have an undetectable viral load without medication. However, a very small number of HIV-positive persons, known as elite controllers, have undetectable viral loads of fewer than 50 copies/mL for years without treatment. This is highly unusual; only around one in 300 HIV-positive patients are elite controllers.

6.

How Long Can a Person Stay Undetectable?

If a person's viral load remains undetectable for at least six months following their initial undetectable test result, they are said to have a durably undetectable viral load. To keep the viral load undetectable, one must take each medication as prescribed daily.

7.

How Can a Viral Load Be Effectively Suppressed or Reduced?

The antiretroviral medication prevents HIV from replicating. As a result, a person with HIV experiences a decrease in viral load after they start antiretroviral therapy. For the majority of people who begin taking their HIV medicine daily as directed their viral loads will fall to undetectable levels in less than six months.

8.

What Are Some Uncommon Facts about HIV?

 - One may have HIV and still feel healthy. 
 - Unfortunately, many people who have HIV are unaware of their condition. 
 - HIV can affect anyone.
 -  HIV infection is not limited to gay men alone. 
 - AIDS is still killing people.
 - Unprotected sex is the leading cause of HIV followed by shared needles and injection drug use.

9.

What Are the Four Stages of HIV?

HIV infection progresses through the following phases if left untreated: The first stage is virus seroconversion disease: Some persons who develop HIV quickly afterward go through a brief sickness. The second stage is HIV asymptomatic: Most people feel good and do not have symptoms until seroconversion is over. HIV with symptoms, then fourth stage HIV in its late stages.

10.

How Did AIDS Start?

Consumption of improperly cooked chimpanzees meat for food and came into contact with their infected blood is considered to be the likeliest mode of  transmittion to humans. Over many years, HIV gradually spread throughout Africa and then to other regions. Since the mid to late 1970s, the virus has been present in the United States.

11.

What Is Special about HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus is referred to as HIV. Removing crucial immune system defense cells erodes a person's defenses against illness and infection. Currently, there is no effective treatment for HIV, but can be managed with the right medical attention in a timely manner.
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Dermatology

Tags:

hiv
Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Source Article ArrowMost popular articles

Do you have a question on

hiv

Ask a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy