Myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS

For nearly 30 years, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) have been shrouded in many myths and misconceptions. In some cases, these mistaken ideas have prompted the very behaviour that causes more people to become HIV positive. Although unanswered questions about HIV remain, researchers have learned a great deal.

Here are some of the top myths about HIV, along with the facts to dispute them.

Myth no. 1: I can get HIV by being around people who are HIV positive.

The evidence shows that HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, or saliva. You cannot catch HIV by:

• Breathing the same air as someone who is HIV positive.
• Touching a toilet seat or doorknob handle after an HIV-positive person.
• Drinking from a water fountain.
• Hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with someone who is HIV positive.
• Sharing eating utensils with an HIV-positive person.
• Using exercise equipment at a gym.

You can get HIV from infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or mother's milk.

Myth no. 2: I don't need to worry about becoming HIV positive - new drugs will keep me healthy.

Yes, antiretroviral drugs are improving the lives of many people who are HIV positive. However, many of these produce serious side effects. None yet provide a cure. Also, drug-resistant strains of HIV make treatment an increasing challenge.

Myth no. 3: I can get HIV from mosquitoes.

Because HIV is spread through blood, people have worried that biting or bloodsucking insects might spread HIV. Several studies, however, show no evidence to support this, even in areas with lots of mosquitoes and cases of AIDS. When insects bite, they do not inject the blood of the person or animal they have last bitten. Also, HIV lives for only a short time inside an insect.

Myth no. 4: I'm HIV positive - my life is over.

In the early years of the disease epidemic, the death rate from AIDS was extremely high. But today, antiretroviral drugs enable HIV-positive people, and even those with AIDS, to live much longer. In fact, from 2000 to 2004, the number of people living with AIDS increased by 30%.

Myth no. 5: I'm straight and don't use IV drugs - I won't become HIV positive.

Most men do become HIV positive through sexual contact with other men or through injection drug use. However, about 16% of men and 78% of women become HIV positive through heterosexual contact.

Myth no. 6: If I'm receiving treatment, I can't spread the HIV virus.

When HIV treatments work well, they can reduce the amount of virus in your blood to a level so low that it doesn't show up in blood tests. Research shows, however, that the virus is still "hiding" in other areas of the body. It is still essential to practise safe sex so you won't infect someone else.