Common myths about HIV and AIDS

Photo Source: UN AIDS Prevention Campaign

When AIDS first emerged there was little information to go on concerning who was at risk and how it was spread. Since then, a significant amount of research has been made available to the public in order to protect themselves against the HIV virus. However, despite 30 years of research and policy to promote public awareness there are still myths and misconceptions out there. The victims of such untruths are often the uneducated and poor segments of our communities. Such myths are dangerous and contribute to an existing prejudice and stigma which hinders further HIV prevention efforts. In order for any HIV prevention program to be effective it must first dispel such myths.

Myth #1: A diagnosis of HIV is a death sentence.
Truth: Thanks to effective medication and treatment programs, people living with HIV and AIDS are living longer today than ever before. In the early part of the AIDS pandemic, people infected with HIV could expect to become ill with full blown AIDS within ten years and then lived on average only 1-2 years afterwards. Today, with early testing and treatment options, an individual can expect to live an additional 30 to 40 years if they take their medication correctly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Myth #2: Developing an HIV and AIDS vaccine should be easy.
Truth: In 1984 the US Health and Human Services Secretary Margaret Heckler optimistically projected that an AIDS vaccine would be ready for testing in about 2 years. While progress has been made, due to the challenges and complexities of the virus, there may still be many years before an effective vaccine or microbicide is available to protect against HIV transmission.

Myth #3: My partner and I both have HIV/AIDS and don’t need to use condoms.
Truth: Like any other virus, HIV mutates constantly. The strain that infects one partner may not be the same that infects another, leading to re-infection. Re-infection with different strains of HIV makes treatment much more difficult.

Myth #4: HIV and AIDS is a disease mainly of the gay community.
Truth: HIV and AIDS can and does infect anyone and everyone. Babies, women, men, seniors, teens, minorities and Whites are all groups susceptible to the HIV virus. Seniors over the age of 50 are a rapid growing segment of the HIV/AIDS population. AIDS remains the leading cause of death in African-American women between the ages of 25-34 in the USA.

Myth #5: I have HIV/AIDS so I can never have children.
Truth: Infected women are capable of having families as long as they take certain precautions. All women should be tested for HIV during their first prenatal care visit. When proper treatment is administered correctly an HIV infected woman has less than a 2 percent chance of delivering an HIV infected baby.

For more info: CDC Factsheets