हिंदी
CHANDIGARH
There are lots of mythologies around but by knowing the original reasons about HIV, you can get relief from baseless stress and can bust myths and misconceptions. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
There are some facts everyone should know of how you can get HIV, and how you can protect yourself.
One of the most heard myths about people living with HIV is that they can be treated but the reality is that there’s no cure yet for HIV-AIDS. However it is said that no treatment is available to cure but there is antiretroviral treatment which works and can keep someone living with HIV healthy.
Let’s bust the myths about HIV and know the real facts how HIV can only be passed on from one person to another via the following bodily fluids:
- Blood
- Breast milk
- Semen including pre-cum
- Vaginal fluid
- Anal mucous
HIV infection occurs when infected bodily fluids get into your bloodstream through:
- Unprotected sex
- From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
- Injecting drugs with a needle that has infected blood in it
- Blood donations or organ transplants with infected blood
- Sex toys which have infected blood or semen on it
Medical experts have discussed the myths going around and what the reality is about HIV.
Myth 1– HIV passes through who doesn’t have HIV
Reality– You can only get infected from someone who is already battling with HIV.
Myth 2– HIV gets spread through touching someone who has HIV
Reality– HIV can only be transmitted through specific bodily fluids discussed above so you can’t get HIV from hand shaking, touching someone, hugging them.
Myth 3– HIV gets transmitted through kissing
Reality– As per experts, there is such a minor amount of HIV in the saliva of a person suffering HIV that the infection can’t be passed on from kissing someone.
Myth 4– HIV is passed through; sweat, tears, urine or faeces of someone who has HIV
Reality– HIV can’t be transmitted through sweat, tears, urine or faeces.
Myth 5– Through mutual masturbation
Reality– Mutual masturbation, fingering and hand-jobs can’t pass HIV. However, if you use sex toys make sure you use protection on them when exchanging between partners.
Myth 6– Through air
Reality– HIV particles can’t survive in air so you can’t get infected from sharing a room with an HIV-positive person.
Myth 7– HIV spreads from coughs, sneezes or spit
Reality– HIV can only be passed through bodily fluids so they can’t transmit HIV through cough, sneezes or spit.
Myth 8– Food, drink and cooking utensils can spread HIV
Reality– If you are living with someone who is HIV positive then, sharing food or cooking utensils, even if the person preparing your food , he or she can’t pass HIV.
Myth 9– Sharing toilet seats, tables, door handles, cutlery, bath towels can transmit the HIV
Reality– As we have discussed above how HIV can spread, so you can’t get HIV by sharing any of these items.
Myth 10 – Can transmit by water related
Reality– HIV can’t survive in water, so you can’t get HIV from swimming pools, baths, shower areas, washing clothes or from drinking the same glass of water.
Myth 11– Can sterilised needles transmit infection
Reality– If you sterilise needles before using them again then they can’t transmit HIV either.
Myth 12– Can get through musical instruments like flute etc
Reality– HIV does not survive on musical instruments, so it can’t give you HIV.
Some other interesting facts about HIV that everyone should get to know is that you can’t cure the HIV by washing body areas after sex, by doing sex with virgin person, or getting treatment of herbal medicines, or by using contraceptive pills.
