Refuting HIV Ignorance

Key Takeaways

There is a difference between HIV and AIDS.
One cannot contract HIV through everyday contact.
There are no visible signs that show that someone has HIV.

Ignorance gives birth to irrational fears and superstitions. It is similar to the myths that surround the transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Some of the myths are that it is spread by touch, kissing, insect bites, and sharing food and water. This leads to stigmatising the individuals who are suffering from HIV AIDS. Therefore, it becomes necessary to destigmatise the fear and raise awareness for individuals so they can reach out and get their treatment on time.

A Brief on HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV) is a deadly disease that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS). It destroys the immune system by weakening T-cells. The process continues until the body is unable to fight minor diseases. HIV spreads when there is an exchange of bodily fluids, for instance, blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, and rectal fluids of an infected person.

Refuting the Myths

Here are some explanations of the common misconceptions around HIV:

HIV and AIDS are the same thing

HIV has three stages, and AIDS is the most serious stage of the HIV infection. In fact, it takes time for people to become aware of HIV in their bodies. People can have HIV and not have AIDS. Due to the advancements in treatment and medicine, it has become a long-term, manageable condition.

One can tell if someone has HIV/AIDS

A person who has contracted HIV does not have visible signs that indicate them of having HIV. The symptoms of HIV are flu-like in nature and often unremarkable. With antiretroviral medications, a person can live relatively healthy with HIV, without the symptoms becoming worse to reach the stage of AIDS.

Only gay people contract HIV

Anyone can get infected with HIV, but because of the nature of the disease and the lack of a medical solution, the disease is highly feared among people. Some groups are affected more than others, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), certain non-white races, and people involved in sex work, who are also vulnerable to getting the disease. While these are not the only groups vulnerable to HIV, the lack of preventive care and accessibility to healthcare becomes a barrier for certain groups to be left out of the system.

Daily contact with an HIV patient can pass on the virus

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV cannot be spread through touching. This includes shaking hands, hugging, or similar physical touch. Since HIV cannot survive outside the human body, it cannot be transmitted through sharing food, bathroom facilities, sweat, or tears. Therefore, it is harmless to share them with a person with HIV. Additionally, HIV cannot spread through saliva, so it is nearly impossible to transmit HIV through kissing.

Insect Bites can cause HIV

HIV cannot survive in a mosquito or an insect due to the different genetic makeup from human DNA. So, insects cannot transmit HIV.

The Necessity to Demystify the Spread of HIV

HIV does not have a specific treatment that can cure the disease; however, an early diagnosis might prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS. When the misconceptions are busted, it allows people to get regularly checked and take proper medication without the fear of alienation from the community. The medical health becomes accessible, and individuals can lead longer, healthier lives.