Myth #1 – There is a cure for HIV/AIDS. Despite advances in treatments, there is currently no cure readily available for HIV-positive individuals. 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 that eradicated the HIV virus. To date, it appears that the patients’ new immune systems have remained HIV-free, yet more study is necessary to ensure that 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 disease was in fact cured, rather than simply sent into a sustained remission. Although such treatments show promise, they are expensive and carry great risk. Current treatments for HIV/AIDS offer a safer alternative for a normal lifespan. Fortunately, increased and ever evolving understanding of the virus and resulting illness has led to the development of medicines that are effectively treating the disease for those who take them regularly . These treatments can reduce the 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 stops the development of AIDS and opportunistic infections. 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. 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 will develop into AIDS. AIDS is an immunodeficiency syndrome . It is the third and most advanced stage of infection caused by HIV. Most people in the U.S. who are living with HIV and receiving treatment do not have AIDS and will never progress into the AIDS phase of the disease . HIV progresses into AIDS 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 CD4 cells a person has. These cells fight infection. A CD4-cell count below 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. A person with such a low CD4-cell count may have a high viral load.
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 some cancers, 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 cases, 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. Clinical and research trials continue to bring insight into the virus and its treatments and the potential pathway to a cure. Today’s treatment and prevention interventions resulted from 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, 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. HIV can be transmitted from a mother to her child, either in the womb, during vaginal childbirth, or through breastfeeding. 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. It is important that anytime a needle is to penetrates a person’s skin, it is a new needle. Keeping the penetration area clean and unexposed can greatly reduce the risk of infection.
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