Aids myth only affect gay men
Myth: "HIV is a death sentence."
Fact: In the 1970s and 80s, people with HIV had extremely limited treatment options, and often died quickly after they first got sick. Since then, advances in medical treatment have made it possible to reside long and well with HIV. Research into still better treatment is ongoing.
Myth: "HIV only affects gay men or drug users."
Fact: HIV is an equal opportunity virus. Newborn babies, women, seniors, teens and people of all races or nationalities can have HIV. The prevalence of the virus in different groups varies (as it does for other diseases), but it can affect anyone. Of HIV positive people worldwide, slightly more than half are women.
Myth: "HIV can be cured."
Fact: Beliefs that HIV can be cured – through specific sex acts or by recent medicines – are unfounded. There is no remedy for HIV. Antiretroviral therapy can reduce the presence of the virus in the body, but not eliminate it.
Myth: "HIV can be spread through casual contact, through kissing or by mosquitos."
Fact: Contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk of someone with HIV
HIV/AIDS is a complex disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite significant advancements in treatment and prevention, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease. These myths can lead to fear, discrimination, and a lack of understanding, making it challenging for people living with HIV/AIDS to receive the support and care they need.
In this article, we dispel familiar myths about and provide reliable information to help promote understanding and awareness.
Myth: HIV/AIDS Only Affects Gay Men
One of the most relentless myths surrounding HIV/AIDS is that it only affects gay men. While it is true that lgbtq+ and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, anyone can contract the disease, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
HIV/AIDS is primarily transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Therefore, anyone who engages in sexual activity or shares needles with an infected person is at risk of contracting the virus.
Myth and Misconceptions : HIV/AIDS Can Be Spread through Casual Contact
Another shared myth surrounding HIV/AIDS is that it can be spread through casual conta
Debunking Common Myths About HIV
Read responses to myths that 'HIV is a gay disease' or a 'death sentence,' and discover other important knowledge about getting tested.
Myths about who contracts HIV
MYTH: “HIV is a ‘gay’ or ‘LGBTQ+’ disease.”
REALITY: While rates of HIV are disproportionately higher among members of the LGBTQ+ collective, HIV is by no means confined to LGBTQ+ people. Anyone—regardless of sexual orientation, gender persona, gender expression or other factors—can gain HIV. Calling HIV a “gay” or “LGBTQ+” disease is medically untrue and only serves to perpetuate harmful stereotypes about people living with HIV and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
MYTH: “I am over 50! I don’t depend on to worry about HIV.”
REALITY: HIV transmission is about behavior; not how aged you are. Moreover, according to the CDC, older Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with HIV at a later stage of the disease.
MYTH: “I am in a monogamous partnership. I don’t possess to worry about HIV.”
REALITY: It is still important to get tested for HIV even if you’re in a monogamous relationship. According to the latest estimates, 68 percent of new HIV transmissions among lgbtq+ and
HIV and AIDS - Basic facts
General
1) What is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a retrovirus that infects cells of the human immune system (mainly CD4-positive T-cells and macrophages—key components of the cellular immune system) and destroys or impairs their function. Infection with this virus results in the progressive depletion of the immune system, head to immunodeficiency.
The immune system is considered deficient when it can no longer fulfil its role of fighting off infection and diseases. People with immunodeficiency are much more vulnerable to a wide range of infections and cancers, most of which are rare among people without immunodeficiency. Diseases associated with severe immunodeficiency are established as opportunistic infections because they take advantage of a weakened immune system.
2) What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and describes the collection of symptoms and infections associated with acquired deficiency of the immune system. Infection with HIV has been established as the underlying cause of AIDS. The level of immunodeficiency or the appearance of certain infections are used as indicators that
World AIDS Day: 5 myths and misconceptions about HIV
First discovered in 1981, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has since then killed tens of millions of people globally, but can now be fully controlled with treatment. Researchers are even exploring the use of stem cell therapy to treat it.
Yet those living with the virus continue to confront stigma as myths about it persist.
When Alex Sparrowhawk, HIV and ageing manager at the Terrence Higgins Trust in the UK, was first diagnosed in 2009, it was “like a tornado in my head”.
“You’re being told these tests are going to be done and it’s a lot to accept on, and the questions just going around in my head [were] am I going to die? Am I ever going to be in association again?” he told Euronews Next.
“How is this going to affect work? How is it going to affect my health and other things in my life? And luckily, I think it takes time, but I was competent to turn to organisations to acquire that support and that information”.
So, why does the stigma persist? Here’s a look at some common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS.
Myth 1. ‘HIV is a death sentence’
Jaime Garcia Iglesias, a Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburg