One word that causes fear and creates a very uneasy feeling in a person’s mind is HIV AIDS. Often considered a taboo topic, HIV AIDS is still not fully understood by not just the masses, but the so-called educated class as well. There are many unwanted misconceptions and myths about this disease that have resulted in ill-treatment of those infected with HIV. The first and foremost thing one needs to know is that HIV is different from AIDS.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) basically destroys the immunity in the body. Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an aggravated form of HIV, when the body is damaged beyond repair. A person infected with HIV can lead the life of a normal person and need not be shunned from the society! It takes many years for HIV to turn into AIDS so if a person has HIV, he does not have AIDS! In case you also have some doubts regarding this, scroll down to learn about the popular myths, the way it is transmitted and other interesting information.
Myths… Busted
The most distressing fact about AIDS is that there are so many unwanted myths surrounding this disease. This has led people to think of it in a degenerating way and treat people infected with it very harshly. Some popular myths and facts about AIDS are:
- Myth - AIDS can only affect homosexual people.
Fact - Cases of AIDS in heterosexuals is much higher than in homosexual people. HIV can infect you regardless of your sexuality.
- Myth - AIDS can be contracted through non-sexual physical contact like hug, kiss, hand-shake or by sharing toilet seats, utensils, mosquito bites, etc.
Fact - HIV or AIDS does not occur by any of the above. In fact, unprotected sexual relations or multiple partners are a major cause for people getting infected with HIV.
- Myth - HIV AIDS is curable.
Fact - It will be quite a while before an effective vaccine for AIDS and HIV is developed. The medications that are available right now can only delay the transformation of HIV into full-blown AIDS and not cure it.
AIDS Treatment
While doctors and medical researchers are doing their best to find a treatment for HIV and AIDS, we can our bit too. Let us be a bit more sensitive towards those infected by HIV and not shun them. They have done nothing wrong and are as normal as everyone else. If you are even slightly doubtful about the needle being used to take your blood test, insist on using a new disposable one or get one yourself. Just being infected by HIV does not mean that the person has to be ostracized from the society. Heavens forbid, how would you feel if that person was You?
