Misconceptions about HIV and AIDS

There are a lot of common misconceptions about both HIV and AIDS that stem mainly from ignorance or misinformation. Here are a couple examples of the most frequent ones:

HIV and AIDS Are the Same

They are not. More about it here.

HIV Does Not Cause AIDS

HIV/AIDS denialism is the belief that the HIV virus does not cause AIDS. This belief has been disproved by scientific research; however, many people still perpetuate this myth. Read more about it here.

HIV Is Curable

That is a common misconception and sometimes a reason people put themselves at risk. Neither HIV, nor AIDS, is curable. HIV is manageable with anti-retroviral therapy. However, the virus may develop resistance to an individual?s treatment at any time. Moreover, even when the level of the virus in the blood is extremely low or undetectable, that might change soon after the treatment is stopped.

HIV Cannot Be Transmitted By a Person Receiving Treatment

Contrary to popular belief, even if the virus might be undetectable in a person on the anti-retroviral therapy, there is still a risk of transmission to other individuals.

HIV Can Be Transmitted Through Casual Contact

Many people are afraid that they can contract HIV through casual, day-to-day contact with an infected person. That is not true. More information about how HIV can and cannot be transmitted can be found here.

HIV Can Be Transmitted By Mosquitoes

It is widely believed that blood-sucking insects can transmit the HIV virus. However, several studies have shown no evidence of this, even in areas with a lot of mosquitoes and HIV cases. Insects do not inject the blood of their previous ?victim? into the person or animal they?re sucking blood from. Moreover, the HIV virus does not survive for long in insects.

HIV Is a Death Sentence

This used to be true when AIDS was first discovered and the mortal rates were very high. However, nowadays an HIV positive person can live a long and fulfilling life with the right treatment. The mortal rate of AIDS is still very high in the rural areas of Africa especially, though.

HIV Is a ?Gay? Disease

For a long time, it was believed that HIV can only be contracted by homosexual men. However, that is not true. HIV can affect anyone regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, race, or age. It is true, though, that gay and bisexual men in general are the most affected by HIV. One of the theories for this phenomenon is the fact that there is a higher risk of transmission during anal sexual intercourse, than during vaginal sexual intercourse.

Unprotected Sex Between HIV Positive Individuals Is Safe

It might seem to be a logical fact; however, the opposite is true. There are various strands of HIV, therefore, it is possible to be infected with a different strand on top of the one the person already has. Some HIV strands are drug resistant, which makes treatment and management of the virus very difficult. Always practicing safe sex is essential.

You Would Know Someone Is HIV Positive

The latency period of HIV can be ten years long. That means that someone can be HIV positive for a long period of time without showing any signs, or even knowing they have the virus in their body. It is very important to always practice safe sex.

Have you ever encountered any of those misconceptions?

What are some of the other misconceptions about HIV or AIDS you?ve heard?

Sources: 1,2,3,4,5,6