Distinguishing Myths and Facts About HIV / AIDS

Even though it has been almost 40 years since the disease was first discovered, there are still many myths surrounding HIV/ AIDS circulating in the community and need to be clarified. By knowing the facts behind these myths, we can be wiser in dealing with this disease.

The HIV virus attacks lymphocyte cells and macrophage cells in the human body. Both types of cells function as the body's defenses. When both are damaged due to infection with the HIV virus, the immune system will become very weak, so that bacteria, fungi, and other viruses can easily attack.

Distinguishing Myths and Facts About HIV / AIDS

Is HIV Not Naturally AIDS?

Initially, people with HIV did not show symptoms that Specific. Early symptoms of HIV can include mild fever, skin rashes, joint pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. After that, HIV sufferers usually do not show any symptoms until their immune system becomes very weak.

A serious condition where someone who has been infected with HIV starts experiencing various infectious diseases due to a weak immune system called AIDS ( acquired immunodeficient syndrome.

If an HIV sufferer does not undergo treatment, an HIV virus infection can develop into AIDS within 10-15 years. AIDS sufferers usually experience significant weight loss, prolonged fever and diarrhea, as well as various other symptoms of severe infections.

The False Myths about HIV/ AIDS

Lots of HIV/ AIDS myths that are not entirely true, even very wrong. This can cause HIV/ AIDS prevention to be less effective, as well as make sufferers stigmatized badly and ostracized.

Some of the mistaken myths that are widely circulating in the community about HIV/ AIDS are:

1. A person can be infected with the HIV virus when in close contact with an HIV/ AIDS sufferer

In fact, the HIV virus is not transmitted simply because a person is at close range or breathing in the same room as an HIV/ AIDS sufferer.

The HIV virus is not transmitted through skin contact, for example when shaking hands or hugging; saliva splashes, for example when the patient sneezes or coughs; or through sweat. The HIV virus is also not transmitted through swimming pools, public toilets, eating utensils, or mosquito bites.

The HIV virus is only transmitted through unprotected sexual relations, blood (usually due to the use of shared needles), and breast milk . Transmission of HIV/ AIDS from mother to baby can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or while breastfeeding.

2. Oral sex does not spread the HIV virus

Oral sex has a lower likelihood of spreading the HIV virus compared to anal or vaginal sex. However, unprotected oral sex remains a risk of transmitting the HIV virus. The risk of transmission will increase if the oral sex offender is having sores or mouth sores in the mouth, or if the recipient of oral sex is having a genital wound.

3. Heterosexual couples do not need to worry about HIV transmission

Anal sex between homosexual men does have the highest risk of transmitting the HIV virus. However, that does not mean heterosexual couples are not at risk of contracting HIV through sex. Sex without a condom can still transmit the HIV virus. The risk of this transmission can increase if one of these partners has another sexually transmitted infection.

4. HIV is a death sentence and HIV sufferers will definitely experience AIDS

At present there is no drug that can completely kill the HIV virus. However, there are already several antiretroviral drugs that can slow the replication (proliferation) of the HIV virus.

HIV sufferers who routinely undergo treatment have a very low amount of virus (viral load) and even no longer detected in the blood. The less the number of viruses, the better the body's endurance sufferers. HIV sufferers who routinely undergo treatment can lead a healthy life for a long time and not have AIDS.

5. HIV sufferers cannot have children

If a man suffers from HIV but routinely undergoes treatment until the viral load in his blood is very low, then the risk of the man to transmit HIV to his wife and their children also become very low or near zero.

The same is true for women who have the HIV virus. Regular consumption of antiretroviral drugs can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to her baby when the woman gives birth or breastfeeding.

6. People who have negative HIV test results can get in contact without protection

HIV testing works by detecting special antibodies produced by white blood cells to fight the HIV virus. If a person's HIV test results are negative, it means that he has no antibodies to HIV. However, that does not mean that the person certainly does not have the HIV virus.

Sometimes it takes 1-3 months before HIV antibodies produced by the body can be detected. Therefore, the use of condoms during sexual intercourse is still recommended to avoid transmission of the HIV virus from people who have negative HIV test results.

7. People who do not experience symptoms of HIV/ AIDS do not have the HIV virus

As previously explained, the HIV virus can infect a person without causing symptoms for 10-15 years. People who don't have any signs or symptoms don't necessarily have the HIV virus in their body.

8. If a partner is HIV positive, there is no need to use a condom during sex

Although both parties have the same HIV virus, the use of condoms during sex is still recommended to prevent transmission of the HIV virus that different types (strains) or those that are immune to antiretroviral drugs.

That is the fact behind various false HIV/ AIDS myths. There are two important things that you need to remember. First, the HIV virus is only transmitted through unprotected sex, blood, or breast milk. So, people who are infected with HIV can still be active and interact with other people as usual.

Second, not experiencing any symptoms does not mean not being infected with the HIV virus. Consult with your doctor to undergo an HIV test, especially if you are at risk of contracting this virus, for example by having unprotected sex or using someone else's syringes.

Third, HIV virus infection can be controlled by consuming antiretroviral drugs regularly, so that the disease does not develop into AIDS. Therefore, if you have an HIV virus infection, do not hesitate to consult further with your doctor to get treatment.

Written by:

dr. Irene Cindy Sunur

Label : Health cat_Health

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