There have been very many myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS since they were first discovered in the early 1980s.
Sometimes the lack of real HIV and AIDS facts has been the cause of HIV infection in some people.
It is thus imperative to get your facts right and below are the top ten need to know facts about HIV and AIDS.
Top 10 AIDS Facts
1. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus but unlike other viruses like for cold or flu, our bodies do not have the ability to fight the HIV infection as it attacks CD4 cells and weakens the immune system that is supposed to fight off viruses and other types of infection.
A weakened immune system leaves the body susceptible to many other ailments and viruses. As the CD4 cells continue to get destroyed by the virus, the HIV infection could eventually leads to the development of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
2. HIV is not a government conspiracy to wipe out minorities.
Medical Researchers believe that the virus was first found in primates and was transferred to humans probably hunters about two centuries ago.
3. HIV infection is generally transmitted from one person to another through contact with infected body fluids mainly blood, breast milk, vaginal secretions and semen.
Unsafe sex, contaminated needles, breast milk, transfusions with contaminated blood and peri-natal (from infected mother to baby at birth) transmission are the main modes of transmission of the virus.
4. HIV cannot be transferred by daily casual activities with an HIV positive person such as shaking hands, kissing, hugging, sharing toilets, utensils and clothes.
5. There is no cure for HIV and AIDS but the existence of antiretroviral drugs has improved and elongated the lives of many infected people.
6. Though HIV is spread through blood a person cannot get infected from an insect bite such as from mosquitoes and fleas.
This is because HIV has a very short life inside the insect and also insects do not transfer the blood of their last victim to another.
7. The only definitive way of finding out your HIV status is by getting tested.
You can be infected with the virus and be symptom free for many years.
8. HIV positive couples should also practice safe sex as this will protect them from re-infection with numerous other different, possibly drug resistant, strains of HIV.
9. The risk HIV infection through oral sex with an infected person may be lower than through anal or vaginal sex but you can still be infected.
Always use a dental dam during oral sex.
10. One of the lesser understood AIDS facts is that HIV infection is not a death sentence.
AIDS Facts – Get Tested and Live Well
HIV positive people now leave longer and healthier lives thanks to better medication and treatment options in addition to a better understanding of the pandemic.