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HIV/AIDS - 101 For Dummies
There
is a lot of talk about HIV/AIDS, and for good reason. Awareness is
the key to reducing the growth and further damage done by the Virus.
Nonetheless, not all things spoken about it are true.
Did
you know that 75% of the people infected with HIV go colour-blind?
No, because it isn’t a fact! Sorry about pulling that one on you,
but let’s see some more (less ridiculous) myths surrounding the
subject!
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| HIV/AIDS | Bonafide Urban Chick |
HIV
is the same as AIDS
No,
HIV or Human Immune-deficiency Virus is the virus that infects the
person who comes in contact with it. Whereas, AIDS or Acute Immuno
Deficiency Syndrome is its long term effect. Not everyone who is HIV
positive will go on to be an AIDS patient. Thanks to modern
medicines, the mutation and impact of the virus can be curbed to a
great extent.
Men
are more prone to AIDS
This
was a considered a valid point for some period of time due to the
fact that men, more openly, used to indulge in casual sexcapades.
Nonetheless, with women being equally sexually liberated, now women
have a higher susceptibility to contracting the virus. This is mostly
because the woman’s sexual organ is more open to any infection
entering the body, as compared to men.
AIDS
is a Homosexual-Centric Disease
On
the contrary, HIV and AIDS has been detected more in heterosexuals.
Nonetheless, HIV does not discriminate between sexual orientation. If
you are having casual sex with multiple partners, you have a chance
to contract the disease.
HIV
can be cured
NO!
Despite the in-depth medical research, there is still no cure for
HIV. Nonetheless, the good people researching have found drugs that
help keep the mutation of the virus to the bare minimum which allow
the patient to lead a normal and fulfilling life. There is a chance
that the occurrence of AIDS is then kept to the very later stages of
life.
HIV
Symptoms show up immediately
There
is no certainty as to when the signs of HIV will surface. The time
can range up to 10 years before the symptoms show on the patients.
Hence, it is essential that if one is indulging in sex with multiple
partners one must get themselves tested for HIV at regular intervals
and also discuss it with new partners before “jumping into bed”
with them.
If
both partners have HIV, one doesn’t need to have safe sex
While
it seems like a very logical statement, it is important to know that
the HIV is a mutating virus and one can get repeatedly infected with
different strains that mutate in the system further. So, yes, even if
you and your partner both have HIV, it is essential to use a latex
barrier.
There
is a Vaccination to avoid getting HIV
Gosh
NO! Despite repeated efforts, medical scientists have still not
succeeded in formulating a vaccination to avoid HIV. The most certain
way to keep HIV at bay would be to not have sex. But that doesn’t
seem like the most practical option, right? So then it is advisable
to use barriers during sex and communicate with your partner before
you indulge in the act.
Condoms
can avoid HIV completely
Just
like pregnancy, condoms are effective at avoiding the contraction of
HIV only about 80% of the times. Yes, this is not a very pleasing
figure. Hence it is essential that whether you are using a barrier or
not, you discuss HIV with your partner before indulging in sexual
activity with them.
I
won’t get HIV with Oral Sex
Chances
are slim, but still present. Because HIV can be transmitted through
blood and bodily fluids, if one indulges in oral sex with an HIV
patient, one does have a chance of contracting the disease if they
have any gum bleeding, open wounds or ulcers in their mouth. Hence,
when indulging in Oral sex with and HIV patient, always use a
barrier.
HIV/AIDS
is something that we all need to collectively know more about. While
the biggest hurdle is that fact that we have still been unable to
find a cure, knowing that there are drugs that can help those who are
already infected is a breath of fresh air.