myth about aids

Myth about AIDS

A person is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is so weak.
31. HIV positive individuals can be detected by their appearance
Many people believe that individuals infected with HIV will always appear a certain way, or at least appear different from an uninfected, healthy person. In fact, disease progression can occur over a long period of time before the onset of symptoms, and as such, HIV infections cannot be detected based on appearance.
32. HIV survives for only a short time outside the body
HIV can survive at room temperature outside the body for hours if dry (provided that initial concentrations are highand for weeks if wet (in used syringes/needles). However, the amounts typically present in bodily fluids do not survive nearly as long outside the body generally no more than a few minutes if dry. Again, the amount of time is longer if wet, especially in syringes/needles and related equipment.
33. HIV can infect only homosexual men and drug users
In the United States, the main route of infection for males is via homosexual anal sex, while for women transmission is primarily through heterosexual contact Nevertheless, HIV can infect anybody regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation t is true that anal sex (regardless of the gender of the receptive partner) carries a higher risk of infection than most sex acts, but most penetrative sex acts between any individuals carry some risk. Properly used condoms can reduce this risk.
34. Being HIV positive means you can t do certain things like be a nurse or parent
There is no job you can t do if you are HIV positive. And men and women with the virus can be parents to an HIV negative baby. In the UK theres less than a 1% chance of babies with an HIV positive mum getting the virus.
35. HIV positive people are treated just like everyone else
They should be and they often are. But one in three people living with HIV still report they have encountered discrimination in the UK. And in the US research has shown stigma and shame are the biggest barriers to people starting treatment after being diagnosed as HIV positive.
36. Scientists are five years from a cure for AIDS
The stories scientists place in the media, promising a cure in five years, boost their academic reputation and get the research money rolling in. We shouldn t be cynical about that, as without reputation building and cash, they ll never find a cure. But we shouldn t fall for it either.
37. People who have HIV cannot have sex with people who do not have HIV
The truth is many people who have HIV have sexual relations with HIV negative people. Condoms weren t meant to protect negative people from other negative people! Condoms are one part of prevention, but another big part of HIV prevention is called
38. Straight women only get HIV because their men are on the down low
The problem with the down low is not whether or not it actually exists, but that it is always tied to the HIV epidemic and to the black community with very little data to support that claim. If you really believe in the down low, then you have to believe in something else: homophobia and stigma. If things like the down low make you angry, then you should be angry that there are communities in which homophobia and stigma are so ingrained that people are not allowed to live as their true selves
39. HIV/AIDS is a chronic manageable disease
HIV/AIDS is a chronic manageable disease. However, unlike HIV/AIDS, having diabetes does not have nearly as much stigma attached to it. HIV stigma is any feeling of disgrace/shame/dirtiness associated with someone who is HIV positive. People with HIV are often met with violence, legal action, job loss, betrayal from former partners and more
40. HIV is a punishment from God
It is a disease that millions of people in the US live with everyday. Some clergy even live with HIV! One of our bloggers is a clergywoman living with HIV who openly discusses her experiences in faith communities. Many people believe that churches should be the leaders in the fight against HIV in their communities. Also, many theologians are wrestling with how agood Christian should respond to the HIV epidemic.