There is so much misinformation about HIV floating around that it’s hard to know who to trust. People with HIV have helped to tackle this problem by coming out and sharing their stories, as well as by forming support groups and getting active in the HIV/AIDS community.
However, many people living with HIV choose not to reveal their status for personal reasons. If you don’t feel comfortable being open about your status yet, you must be armed with the facts to protect yourself from contracting or transmitting the virus. Here are some common myths about HIV that you shouldn’t believe:
You can’t get HIV from kissing.
Kissing alone cannot transmit HIV. However, if one person has cracked or bleeding gums and the other has open sores in the mouth, there is a risk of transmitting the virus. So, if you have a cut or open sore in or around your mouth, it is best to avoid kissing and/or having oral sex with others. If you’re worried about contracting HIV from kissing, make sure that both you and your partner(s) have clean mouths. Brush your teeth and wash your mouth out with water before kissing and avoid smoking cigarettes, which can irritate the gums and cause bleeding. You should also avoid using alcohol-based mouthwash, as this can lead to dehydration and can irritate the gums.
Having a lot of partners means you will get HIV.
It is true that the more sexual partners you have, the more likely you will contract an STI, including HIV. However, it is important to remember that not all people you sleep with will have HIV, and just because someone has had many partners in the past doesn’t mean they have HIV now. A lot of people living with HIV do not know they have it, and they can unknowingly pass the virus on to their sexual partners.
You can reduce your risk of contracting HIV by using condoms and getting tested for STIs regularly, especially if you have a high number of sexual partners. If you don’t feel comfortable being open about your number of sexual partners, there are STI and HIV tests available online that can be done anonymously, without having to disclose your sexual history.
Condoms don’t work and are uncomfortable to use.
Condoms are one of the best ways to prevent the spread of STIs, including HIV. However, it is important to remember that even if you use a condom, you can still contract an STI, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea if your partner has an STI and does not disclose their status. Condoms don’t have to be uncomfortable. There are plenty of types to choose from, including vibrating condoms, flavored condoms, and condoms with various textures. If you or your partner are allergic to latex, there are non-latex condoms that can be used. Be sure to check the expiry date on the package before using it. If you feel uncomfortable using a condom, there are other ways of preventing STIs and pregnancy, such as using the pull-out method.
If you have HIV, you’ll immediately feel sick.
This myth is one of the most dangerous, as it discourages many people from getting tested. If you contract HIV, you may never feel sick. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. There are many false-negative results for HIV. This means that someone’s result is negative when it is positive. This can lead to false reassurance, which leads people not to protect themselves from contracting or transmitting HIV.
If you think you may have contracted HIV, you should get tested as soon as possible. HIV tests come with either an ELISA or an RNA blood test. The ELISA test can give you a false negative result if you have recently contracted the virus, while the RNA blood test can give you a false positive result if you have a certain condition in your liver.
If a condom breaks, you will automatically get HIV.
If a condom breaks, you will not necessarily contract HIV. It is important to get tested for HIV and other STIs as soon as possible if this happens, as there are drugs that can reduce the risk of transmission. You can also follow these steps: 1. Wash your hands before touching the broken condom. 2. Put on a new condom, and then get tested for HIV and other STIs as soon as possible.
Only gay men can get HIV.
This is another common myth, and it’s simply untrue. Anyone can contract HIV, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. There are many myths about who can get HIV, but the best way to prevent yourself from contracting or transmitting the virus is to get tested and use protection, such as condoms.
If a person has HIV, they must look sick and be visibly thinner.
HIV can affect everyone differently. Some people may experience a positive result on their HIV test while still looking very healthy. This can be because they have a low viral load, which means that their HIV is not very detectable in their blood. Other people may test positive for HIV and be visibly sick because they have a higher viral load. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. If you think you may have contracted HIV, you should get tested as soon as possible.
Conclusion
There is so much misinformation about HIV floating around that it’s hard to know who to trust. People with HIV have helped to tackle this problem by coming out and sharing their stories, as well as by forming support groups and getting active in the HIV/AIDS community. However, many people living with HIV choose not to reveal their status for personal reasons. If you don’t feel comfortable being open about your status yet, you must be armed with the facts to protect yourself from contracting or transmitting the virus.
