|
MYTH
1 |
Every
person infected with HIV gets AIDS. |
True.
Till today everyone who has HIV will go on
to develop the condition of AIDS at some time. |
|
MYTH
2 |
All
HIV infected persons develop AIDS after 10-12
years of infection. |
False.
At least 20% of people with HIV will develop
AIDS within 5 years of being infected and
about 50% with 10 years of being infected. |
|
MYTH
3 |
Sex
is the most potential infective route for
HIV transmission. |
False.
An unscreened blood transfusion is more potentially
infective than the sexual route. |
|
MYTH
4 |
Is
underlying nutrition and health status of
the patient an important factor for development
of AIDS. |
True.
A poor nourishment is more likely to develop
AIDS easily. |
|
MYTH
5 |
A
blood donor is at risk of HIV infection, when
he / she is donating blood. |
False.
Unless the instrument used are not sterile.
Blood banks mostly use disposable sterile
syringes. |
|
MYTH
6 |
A
person can become infected with the virus
during a
blood test. |
True.
Only if the instruments used are not sterile. |
|
MYTH
7 |
A
person can become infected with HIV through
a dental
intervention. |
True.
A cut in the mouth can be the port of entry
for an HIV infection, if the instruments used
by the dental surgeon are not sterile. |
|
MYTH
8 |
Menstrual
blood of HIV women is infective. |
True.
The menstrual blood of HIV positive women
is infective. |
|
MYTH
9 |
A
doctor or nurse is more susceptible to HIV
infection. |
True.
All medical personnel are more at risk of
HIV infection when handling potentially infective
material like blood or other body fluids during
surgical procedures. |
|
MYTH
10 |
Kissing
can transmit HIV. |
False.
Because the saliva of an HIV positive person
contains very little virus insufficient to
cause infection, but should be avoided if
there is any kind of open sore, wound inside
or around the mouth. |
|
MYTH
11 |
Oral
sex can transmit HIV. |
True.
If any blood, semen or vaginal fluid of an
infected person comes in contact with bleeding
gums or mouth sores of the partner. |
|
MYTH
12 |
A
person can get HIV through masturbation. |
False.
Stimulating one's own genitals is perfectly
safe. |
|
MYTH
13 |
People
who have sex with more than one person are
at a
greater risk of HIV infection. |
True.
For such people, the risk of getting not only
AIDS, but also other STD's (Sexually Transmitted
Diseases) is definitely higher. |
|
MYTH
14 |
Women
are more likely to be infected as when compared
to men. |
True.
Semen contains higher concentration of HIV
as compared to vaginal fluids and semen stays
for a longer time in the vagina, so women
are at a greater risk of HIV infection. |
|
MYTH
15 |
HIV
infected can be transmitted through a swimming
pool. |
False.
The chlorine in the swimming pool is an extremely
effective method of destroying the HIV virus.
Moreover, there would not be a high enough
level of the virus to transmit the infection. |
|
MYTH
16 |
Household
articles and food can help transmit HIV
infection. |
False.
The virus is fragile and cannot stand the
heat during cooking and even exposure to open
air. |
|
MYTH
17 |
Sharing
razors can spread HIV infection. |
True.
It is not advisable to share razors. Barbers
should be requested to use a new blade for
each customer. |
|
MYTH
18 |
Tattooing
can spread HIV infection. |
True.
If the instrument used are contaminated with
HIV
infected blood. |
|
MYTH
19 |
Injecting
drugs can spread HIV infection. |
False.
Injecting drugs into one's own body using
unshared, sterilized needles does not spread
HIV infection. |
AIDS is a serious disease,
on which a lot of research is still being carried
out. However, it is imperative that Parents today
educate their children on the facts and risks associated
with this new age killer. Forewarned is forearmed,
and imparting knowledge on HIV/AIDS is part of the
preparation you as a parent must impart to your
children for their own safety when they go out into
the world.
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