HIV and AIDS Misconceptions

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV and AIDS. In order to eradicate AIDS out of the Society we need to remove these deep rooted myths at first. Many organisations and individuals, across the Globe are fighting unitedly agianst this menace by creating awareness amongst the masses.

Here is a list of numerous FACTS collected from various websites. 

Extract from AIDS.GOV 
HIV is spread through some of the body's fluids. HIV is in:
# blood
# semen
# vaginal fluids
# breast milk
# some body fluids sometimes handled by health care workers (fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord, bone joints, and around an unborn baby)

HIV is passed from one person to another by:
#  having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has HIV
# sharing needles with a drug user who has HIV
# during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding if a mother has HIV
# getting transfusions of blood with HIV, which is rare in the United States

Abstaining from (not having) sex is the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission. There are several ways to protect yourself or to prevent transmitting HIV during vaginal, oral, or anal sex if you choose to have sex:
# Get tested for HIV and know the HIV status of yourself and your partner
# Be faithful to your sexual partner
# Use condoms or other latex barriers during vaginal, oral, and anal sex, and never resue condoms or latex barriers

HIV does not survive well outside of the body. Myths about HIV surviving in. There are many myths about how HIV is passed. Here are the facts:
# You cannot get HIV through casual contact such as shaking hands or hugging a person with HIV/AIDS.
# You cannot get HIV from using a public telephone, drinking fountain, restroom, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, or hot tub.
# You cannot get HIV from sharing a drink.
# You cannot get HIV from being coughed or sneezed on by a person with HIV/AIDS.
# You cannot get HIV from giving blood.
# You cannot get HIV from a mosquito bite.

Transmission of HIV while getting a tattoo or through a body piercing is possible, but it can be prevented through:
# Single-use instruments intended to penetrate the skin being used only once, then disposed of
# Reusable instruments or devices that penetrate the skin and/or contact a client's blood should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized between clients according to medical guidelines.

These guidelines are the same as those practiced within any medical facility where there is a risk of instruments coming into contact with blood.

Extract from Wikipedia.org
An HIV-infected mother can have children.
HIV-infected women are still fertile, although in late stages of HIV disease a pregnant woman may have a higher risk of spontaneous miscarriage. Normally, the risk of transmitting HIV to the unborn child is between 15-30%. However, this may be reduced to just 2-3% if patients carefully follow medical guidelines.


Please forward this list to all your friends to create awareness.