- 1. People who have HIV must always use condoms.
- 2. Kiss on the mouth transmits HIV.
- 3. A woman's child with HIV may not have the virus.
- 4. A man or woman with HIV cannot have children.
- 5. People who have HIV do not need to use condoms if the partner also has the virus.
- 6. People who have HIV have AIDS.
- 7. I can get HIV through oral sex.
- 8. Sex toys also transmit HIV.
- 9. If my test is negative, I don't have HIV.
- 10. It is possible to live well with HIV.
The HIV virus was discovered in 1984 and over the past 30 years a lot has changed. Science has evolved and the cocktail that previously covered the use of a large number of medications, today has a smaller and more efficient number, with fewer side effects.
However, although the time and quality of life of the infected person has increased significantly, HIV has no cure or vaccine yet. In addition, there are always doubts regarding this matter and that is why we have separated here the main myths and truths regarding the HIV virus and AIDS so that you are well informed.
1. People who have HIV must always use condoms.
TRUTH: All people who have the HIV virus are advised to only have sex with a condom to protect their partner. Condoms are the best form of protection against the HIV virus and for this reason they must be used in every intimate contact, and must be changed after each ejaculation.
2. Kiss on the mouth transmits HIV.
MYTH: The contact with saliva does not transmit the HIV virus and therefore the kiss on the mouth can happen without weight on the conscience, unless the partners have some sore in the mouth, because whenever there is contact with the blood there is the risk of streaming.
3. A woman's child with HIV may not have the virus.
TRUTH: If the HIV positive woman becomes pregnant and undergoes treatment properly throughout the pregnancy, the risk of the baby being born with the virus is minimal. Despite the less risky delivery being the elective cesarean section, the woman can also choose to have a normal delivery, but redoubled work with blood and body fluids is necessary to avoid contaminating the baby. However, the woman cannot breastfeed because the virus passes through the milk and can contaminate the baby.
4. A man or woman with HIV cannot have children.
MYTH: A woman who is HIV positive can become pregnant but must undergo tests to find out if her viral load is negative and must still take all the medicines that the doctor tells her not to contaminate the baby. In any case, if the man or the woman is HIV positive to avoid contamination of the partner, it is recommended to perform an in vitro fertilization, being particularly indicated to use the technique of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In this case, the doctor removes some eggs from the woman and in the laboratory inserts the man's sperm into the egg and after a few hours implant these cells into the woman's uterus.
5. People who have HIV do not need to use condoms if the partner also has the virus.
MYTH: Although the partner is also HIV positive, it is recommended to use condoms in all intimate contact because there are different subtypes of the HIV virus and they have different viral loads. So if a person has only HIV type 1 but his partner has HIV 2, if they have sex without a condom they will both have both types of virus, making treatment more difficult.
6. People who have HIV have AIDS.
MYTH: HIV refers to the human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS is the human immunodeficiency syndrome and therefore these terms cannot be used interchangeably. Having the virus does not mean being sick and that is why the term AIDS is only indicated when the person becomes sweet due to the weakness of his immune system and it can take more than 10 years to happen.
7. I can get HIV through oral sex.
TRUTH: The person who receives oral sex has no risk of contamination, but those who have oral sex are at risk of being contaminated at any stage, both at the beginning of the act, when there is only the man's natural lubricating liquid, and during ejaculation. So it is recommended to use condoms even in oral sex.
8. Sex toys also transmit HIV.
TRUTH: Using a sex toy after an HIV positive person can also transmit the virus, leaving the person infected and therefore it is not recommended to share these toys.
9. If my test is negative, I don't have HIV.
MYTH: After contact with HIV positive, the person's body can take up to 6 months to produce anti-HIV antibodies 1 and 2 that can be identified in an HIV test. Therefore, if you had any risky behavior while having sexual intercourse without a condom, you should have your first HIV test and after 6 months you should have a new test. If the result of the 2nd test is also negative, it indicates that you have not really been infected.
10. It is possible to live well with HIV.
TRUTH: With the advancement of science, antiretrovirals are more efficient and have fewer side effects, bringing a better quality of life. In addition, nowadays people are more informed and there is less prejudice in relation to the HIV virus and AIDS, however it is essential to carry out the treatment taking the medications indicated by the infectologist, always use condoms and carry out exams and medical consultations regularly..
