Having accurate information is the key to understanding and preventing HIV transmission and working safely and respectfully with HIV positive clients. The following provides commonly Myth #1 - There is a cure for HIV/AIDS. Despite advances in treatments, there is currently no cure readily available for HIV positive individuals today. There have been rare cases publicized through research findings and clinical trials in which extreme treatments have been thought to cure HIV. The most famous of these has been dubbed as the “Berlin Patient.” In these cases, treatment included a bone marrow transplant resulting in a new immune system which eradicated the HIV virus. The infected patients had to be readied for their transplants with a modified protocol to ensure decreased intensity. This affords them the strength to maintain antiretroviral drug treatments. These treatments are generally too toxic for HIV positive cancer patients to tolerate. To date, it appears that the patients’ new immune systems have remained HIV-free, yet more study is necessary to ensure the bloodstream continues to remain free of any HIV genetic material throughout the duration of the patient’s life. Scientists continue to monitor these patients to determine if the virus was in fact cured, rather than simply in a sustained remission. Nevertheless, this type of treatment is risky, expensive, and not Myth #2 - HIV and AIDS are the same thing. HIV and AIDS are commonly mistaken as interchangeable terms for the same disease. However, in truth, they are distinct terms that are not transposable. HIV is a virus that attacks a person’s immune system. If left untreated, it can evolve into AIDS. AIDS is an immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the third and most advanced stage of infection caused by HIV. Most people who are living with HIV do not have AIDS and will never progress into the AIDS phase of the disease . HIV progresses into AIDS Myth #3 - HIV diagnosis is a death sentence. Revolutions in medications and treatments make it possible for HIV carriers to live long, healthy lives. In the Western world, where resources are available for treatment, HIV has been downgraded from a fatal virus to a chronic life-threatening illness (similar to cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension). The virus becomes life-threatening once it progresses to the third and most severe stage of HIV: AIDS. However, in many case, individuals diagnosed with AIDS can be reverted to HIV status after starting anti-HIV drug “cocktails,” regaining their health and returning to a normal life. There are many treatments that can now help people with HIV, each attacking the virus in their own way . As a result, many HIV positive people are living much longer and healthier lives than ever before. Medicines today can slow the growth of the virus or stop it from making copies of itself. These treatment therapies cannot fully eradicate the virus from the bloodstream, but are able to keep the amount of virus in the blood low or undetectable. Currently, there are many clinical and research trails that continue to bring insight into the virus and its treatments and the potential pathway to a cure.
believed myths and misconceptions paired with the true facts about HIV/AIDS.
feasible for the millions of people currently living with the virus. An effective cure that could be made available to the public is still far in the horizon. Fortunately, increased and ever evolving understanding of the virus and resulting illness has led to advances in medicine that are effectively treating the disease for those who take it regularly . When sustaining this type of treatment, an HIV positive person can reduce their viral load (or amount of HIV in the blood) to the point that it is undetectable, or unable to be seen in laboratory tests. Maintaining an undetectable viral load helps prevent the progression of the virus and prevent HIV from developing into AIDS and other infections. Currently, research is still being done to identify new treatments and improve existing regimens to further ease the burden for HIV carriers and their health providers. Every day, more is being learned to identify new ways of preventing HIV infection. Even without a cure, people can live full, happy, and healthy lives despite their HIV positive diagnosis. when a person’s immune system is diminished to the point of not being able to combat certain kinds of infections and cancers. To determine the stage of infection caused by HIV, a lab test is conducted to identify the number of CDR cells a person has, otherwise known as their “viral load.” A viral load under 200 in an HIV-infected person indicates an AIDS diagnosis. Without medication, it can take between two to 10 years or longer for an HIV-positive person to develop AIDS. Today’s treatment and prevention interventions were made through scientific advances funded through federal and private investments in basic, biomedical, behavioral, and social science research. All findings point to the fact that starting treatment for HIV early (as soon as possible after diagnosis) significantly improves the patient’s health and reduces the risk of illness and death, decreasing the risk of onward transmission by 96% .
Myth #4 - You can contract HIV through tears, sweat, feces, and urine. HIV can only be contracted through specific bodily fluids. These include semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, rectal fluids, blood, and breast milk. A person can get infected from sexual contact with someone who is infected with HIV through vaginal, anal, or oral sex; however, unprotected sex with someone who is infected doesn’t mean a person will automatically contract the disease. Using a latex condom or other latex barrier greatly reduces the risk. Furthermore, HIV is not spread by hugging or massage, dry kissing, or daily contact with someone who has HIV.
There are treatments today that can reduce the risk of this type of transmission, keeping the baby safe and virus free. They are most effective if started as soon as possible during the pregnancy. Even with treatment, breastfeeding is not recommended for HIV positive mothers. Finally, people who inject drugs, hormones, steroids, or silicone can get HIV by sharing needles or syringes and other injection equipment. Anytime a needle penetrates a person’s skin, even with tattooing or medical procedures, it is important that a new needle is used. Keeping the penetration area clean and unexposed can greatly reduce the risk of infection.
HIV can be transmitted from mother to her child, either in the womb, during vaginal childbirth, or through breastfeeding.
Book Code: CFL1024
Page 18
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