Individuals who learn that they have HIV must prepare themselves to face many challenges in the weeks and months following their initial diagnosis. HIV and family illness counseling programs provide a wealth of information, but often, by the time an individual gets to counseling their head has already been filled with a variety of myths and semi-truths about HIV.
What follows are some of the most prevalent myths regarding HIV, and the REAL information behind them.
Myths and facts about HIV
Myth: AIDS is not caused by HIV.
Fact: The overwhelming majority of scientific opinion points to the fact that HIV causes the AIDS virus. Any opinion that runs contrary to this notion was likely provided by an unreliable or highly unorthodox source.
Myth: HIV cannot be contracted via oral sex.
Fact: Although the risk of transmission is lower than with other forms of sexual activity, there have been cases where HIV was transmitted via oral sex. As with any type of intimate contact, couples are urged to use protection when engaging in oral sex.
Myth: If you only have sex with a person once, you will not contract HIV.
Fact: If individuals are not using protection, they are vulnerable to contracting HIV – even if they only have sex on a single occasion.
Myth: If you contract HIV, there is a 100% certainty that you will get AIDS.
Fact: There is a small, but significant percentage of individuals with HIV who have not contracted full-blown AIDS. Many of these individuals are kept healthy by recent advances in drugs that treat the disease. Also, scientists believe that many of these people may have some natural immunity to the disease and continue to study them in detail.
Myth: Advances in treatment for HIV mean that we no longer have to worry about contract the virus, and can have unprotected sex without fear.
Fact: First off, even before the introduction of HIV into the world’s population, unprotected sex was not recommended. In addition to unwanted pregnancy, a host of serious venereal diseases preceded HIV and AIDS (and continue to kill people each year). Second, while the past decade has seen absolutely phenomenal advances in the treatment of HIV, it is still a dangerous virus, and everyone who is sexually active must continue to be safe and make good decisions regarding theirsexual behavior.
Myth: An HIV diagnosis is a “death sentence”
Fact: Again, nothing could be further from the truth. Advances in pharmaceutical treatment for HIV have added decades onto the lives of individuals who once would have been given a matter of months until they were expected to die. Moving forward into the 21st century, people all over the world are getting increased access to these drugs, which mean more and more individuals with HIV will see the virus as anything but a death sentence - as we are seeing with terminal illness treatment in other areas.
Individuals in need of counseling after having received an HIV or AIDS diagnosis should contact Moonview Sanctuary immediately. Located in the heart of Santa Monica, California, Moonview offers holistic treatment, helps individuals and their families cope with the realities of HIV, and insure that everyone is healthy in mind, body and spirit as treatment for the virus moves forward. Contact Moonview Sanctuary today for more information about their Transformational Health Programs.