Stop the stigma!
Human immunodeficiency virus, shortened as HIV, is a virus that damages the immune system. When left untreated, it escalates to another medical condition called AIDs.
People living with HIV experience stigma and discrimination due to misinformation and all the myths surrounding the virus. Did you know TV series like MTV Shuga and ‘Wetin Dey’ were created to clear these myths?
Let’s address six common myths about HIV:
Myth #1: Only People Having Unprotected Penetrative Sex Contract HIV
The common belief is that you can only be infected with HIV if you are indulging in unprotected sex. This is far from true. While having sex with an infected person can lead to it, it is not the only cause. Badly screened blood transfusion, sharing sharp objects, having oral sex, being breastfed by an infected person are also means of transmission.
Thumbs-up if you are celibate. However, ensure you do not share sharp objects or come in contact with open wounds of an infected person.
Myth #2: HIV Is A Death Sentence
People living with HIV are often treated like the walking dead. With adequate and consistent treatment, infected people can live a long, normal, and productive life just like everyone else.
Myth #3: You Can Tell Someone Has HIV From The Way They Look
Another wrong belief is that people living with HIV are always skinny and dried-up. You might have even heard people use HIV to joke with someone that has lost a lot of weight. That is an archaic and dangerous stereotype.
You really can’t tell if someone has HIV from their physical appearance. An infected person can appear completely healthy.
Myth #4: You Can Get HIV By Being Around Those Infected
When the HIV epidemic was at it’s worst, people treated infected people like lepers. It was believed that sharing spoons, toilets, hugging or breathing the same air as them could transmit the virus. Truth is, you can not catch HIV through casual contact. It is safe to interact with people living with HIV.
Myth #5: You Can Get HIV From Mosquitoes
This is a funny one and even I once thought it to be true. As we all know, mosquitoes are blood-sucking insects, it was common belief that they could spread HIV. However, science confirms that mosquitoes do not inject the blood of the last person they bit (even if HIV-positive) on to the next person.
Myth #6: Infected Parents Can’t Have HIV-Negative Children
Contrary to popular belief it is very much possible for HIV-positive parents to give birth to healthy, HIV-negative babies. Advanced HIV treatment can lower the presence of the virus enough for it to happen. Also, the nursing mothers only need to feed the baby with formula to prevent transmission through breast milk.
While HIV still does not have a cure, people living with the virus can live long, healthy lives. Treat them like your fellow human beings.
#Unsolicited is a segment for reviews and opinion pieces. This edition highlights six common myths about HIV.
