11 Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS

Overview

The majority of people with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) don’t know that they have it, which makes them an easy target of attacks. In fact, this stigmatization often has a negative effect on their health. For example, they may be less likely to seek treatment because they feel ashamed or because they may not know what it means to live with the virus.

Fortunately, the world now has access to effective treatments, and we all want a future where everyone leads long and healthy lives. However, HIV/AIDS is still one of our most pressing concerns in society today. Many of us are unaware that this virus is alive and well (even if we are living with it). It requires a lot more effort than many assume, such as awareness, prevention, testing, social support, medication adherence, and stigma. Even so, there are misconceptions about HIV that can affect an individual’s emotional wellbeing. Here are five common myths and facts you need to keep in mind when interacting with someone who is living with HIV.

HIV and AIDS: Common Myths and Facts:

Myth #1—It is only those with early signs of infection.

People think HIV is typically acquired through sexual contact. This includes both heterosexual sex, anal sex, oral sex, transgender, or other non-penetrative sex. Early diagnosis of any sexually transmitted disease before symptoms appear may indicate an infected person. Although HIV infections can occur at any time during a person’s life, an infection can take place suddenly, but it doesn’t always develop rapidly and suddenly. One would know if he has an HIV infection if his/her immune system had already been weakened by drug use, a cold or flu, a bacterial infection, or a parasite infection.

Myth #2—AIDS is just like cancer:

AIDS is classified into subtypes according to its primary cause. These include viral diseases (HIV), bacterial diseases (Tuberculosis), parasitic diseases (helminths), fungal infections (cryptosporidiosis), and neoplasm (malignant tumors). People have different perceptions of these types of conditions—some believe they all have something to do with each other! There are also differences around how a patient displays symptoms. While TB and C. P. are bacterial, AIDS is a virus. If a patient has no previous exposure to HIV, their first initial reaction will be that they have a bad cold, sinusitis or influenza. Often, the perception is that only those with infection should show similar symptoms.

Myth #3—If I am only tested for HIV in my 30s, I won’t get AIDS:

The truth is that the earlier you start having regular and consistent testing, the better your chances of seeing a pattern and being able to detect a positive test. You want to make sure your blood tests and antibody tests are up to date. Your risk of acquiring HIV increases with lower CD4 count levels. Some tests for detecting antibodies are available to older age groups, and others can be performed after 60 or 80 years old. Since testing has become much easier, younger individuals might not realize that they have HIV.

Myth #4 -If you were exposed to multiple partners in the past, then you are now “exposed” to HIV:

The reason why HIV is rarely acquired via casual sexual contact is because you first must interact with a new partner. Once you begin a relationship or engage in sexual activity, the risk of contracting HIV decreases significantly or completely stops. When you are sexually involved with two or three people in a single day, your risk of developing a case of HIV increases dramatically. It is important to remember that sexual intercourse with an infected partner might still carry high risk of another possible exposure to the virus, even though this happened years ago. After all, there are many factors that contribute to the increased risk of an exposure.

Myth#5—The sooner you notice HIV is there, the less likely it is to pass:

The longer we wait to discover the presence of such an insidious virus in our body systems, the higher the chance it will escape detection. No matter how diligent you are at protecting yourself against infection, it will always happen. To keep it from crossing the barriers as quickly as possible, you need to get tested regularly and regularly test your close friends and family. Don’t let fear stop you from seeking protection and treatment immediately if you suspect your closest friends and loved ones are harboring potential cases of HIV or taking advantage of the situation.

Myth #6—There are lots of cures for HIV today:

There isn’t a cure for HIV yet. But, with medications, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and frequent screenings, there is hope. Unfortunately, there are other viruses that could potentially infect the cells in the human body. Viruses attack a large number of cells. Once inside these cells, a cell cannot remain undisturbed. As a result, if a virus enters a cell, it causes damage to vital organs.

So far, scientists have only developed vaccines specifically against viruses and bacteria. Because there is no vaccine, these drugs have been developed to treat and protect from specific viruses. Other viruses can exist outside of human beings, including fungi, fungi, protozoa, and others that can theoretically be brought down by medicines that have been manufactured.

Myth#7—HIV gets “cured” of its own volition:

Scientists know that HIV is mostly genetic and that once inside a cell the virus reproduces itself. Human cells don’t really react when they are infected since their genetic codes have changed and mutated over time. They have evolved mechanisms that allow them to ward off virus attacks. At least until recently when researchers discovered immunotherapy. Scientists discovered that patients were able to turn their bodies back to normal without having to undergo chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, or invasive surgeries. With newer forms of medicine, it’s almost certain that patients will be protected from HIV even if they weren’t always as hopeful for recovery.

Myth#8—All HIV is inherited:

• Although HIV is a highly contagious disease, with an overall prevalence rate estimated at 7.6 per 1,000 population, about 75% of a patient’s total HIV burden comes from sex-related transmission that is, sex is the main way most people acquire HIV.
•  Infection in children also occurs occasionally, typically due to the mother passing it along to her child through breast milk when she has not yet had enough antibodies on the child. More importantly, pregnant women can transmit HIV by giving birth while carrying a baby.
• Women also can contract the virus if their menstrual period coincides with a new male partner and HIV can be passed on during pregnancy and delivery. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to be exposed to HIV due to unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse (which happens between the ages of 25 to 35) and sharing of needles and syringes.
• Transmission can also occur if you share a bed with someone whom you are not fully sexually experienced with; this is known as intravenous drug sharing. Another major risk factor that contributes to HIV is sharing of equipment (e.g., razors, condoms, needles); however, using those devices alone won’t lead you to becoming infected.

Myth #9—Those with HIV don’t show any symptoms:

The majority of people with HIV actually do not experience any serious symptoms. This is because the virus destroys the cells in the body’s lymphatic system, triggering a very complicated chain reaction. Eventually, the cells die, resulting in a clear and present sign of illness, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, aches, red skin, swollen lymph nodes, and sometimes jaundice. Symptoms typically appear within 2–4 weeks of becoming infected. Longer-term effects from the virus could present themselves in chronic illnesses like hepatitis, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, dementia, depression, and infertility. In addition to acute manifestations, HIV infection has long term consequences, which include nerve damage, opportunistic infections, pneumonia, ulcers, bone fractures, and loss of weight.

Myth#10—The goal of ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) is to suppress HIV:

The word “antiretroviral” was introduced to describe any drug prescribed to slow the progression of AIDS. Antiretroviral therapy involves medication to help prevent the appearance of symptoms related to the infection. Anti-retrovirals work by interfering with HIV replication, allowing the cells in the body to produce fewer copies of the virus.

The goal of preventing symptoms of AIDS is to decrease the amount of virus that circulates in the blood, therefore reducing the amount of virus in the bloodstream. Currently, there is an FDA approved drug called cabotegravir (CAB)—a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)—to prevent HIV replication in the blood and reduce the amount of fat in the blood. Researchers are currently studying whether there are alternative NRTIs that could be used as anti-retroviral therapy (ART).

Myth #11—There is nothing left to fight:

The pandemic has shown that there is no vaccine against HIV—only antivirals—as there are no permanent remedies for the development of a condition. Until people find alternatives to existing drugs or new research is conducted, the best option to treat HIV is to continue following guidelines and taking recommended precautions. Ultimately, there is hope. Individuals living with HIV today have access to various interventions. Those who have compromised immune systems, such as cancer, may benefit from receiving additional treatment to boost their immune system and decrease their risk of HIV infection. Also, HIV-positive mothers can have prenatal care.