AIDS - Common Myths

AIDS

Common Myths


There are many misunderstandings and misconception about HIV. Check how much you know with our 21 common myths and facts about HIV.

• Myth: You can’t have a baby if you or your partner is HIV positive.
• If someone with HIV decides to have a child, there are options available to them to enable them to have a baby without infecting their partner and steps that can be taken to ensure their baby is not HIV positive.
• Myth: If you get HIV you’ll die soon.
• Myth: You can tell by looking at someone if they have HIV.
• Myth: It takes months before you can have a test for find out if you are infected with HIV.
• Myth: If you have a test you face a long wait to find out the result.
• Myth: Only gay men get HIV.
• Myth: HIV is no longer a serious issue in the UK.
• Myth: I don’t know anyone living with HIV.
• Myth: My partner would tell me if they had HIV.
• Myth: I don’t need to worry about HIV anymore because there are really good treatments available.
• Myth: People with HIV can’t work.
• Myth: Lots of people come to the UK to get free treatment for HIV
• Myth: Only old people get HIV.
• Myth: You can get HIV from someone who spits at you or bites you.
• Myth: You can get HIV if you stand on a discarded needle.
• Myth: HIV treatment is free to everyone in the UK who needs it.
• Myth: It’s very easy for me to catch HIV from someone who is infected.
• Myth: All young people learn about HIV and how to protect themselves at school.
• Myth: There are no symptoms of HIV
• Myth: There is no benefit to getting tested early if you think you have HIV.
• Myth: My test results won’t be kept confidential.

More details - http://www.worldaidsday.org/

AIDS DAY 2010 - Facts and Stats

FACTS AND STATS

HIV: The basics

What is HIV?

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system - the body's defence against diseases.

Are HIV and AIDS the same?

No. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body. A person is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope.

How is HIV passed on?

HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk.

The most common ways HIV is passed on are:

• Sex without a condom with someone living with HIV
• Sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment
• From an HIV-positive mother (to her child) during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding (but with effective treatment and care the risk of transmission can be greatly reduced)

I don't know anyone with HIV... do I?

Today there are more people than ever before living with HIV in the UK, but less people report knowing someone with HIV.  People with HIV generally look healthy and many do not find it easy to tell other people, so you may not realise if someone you know if HIV positive.  To learn more about the different groups of people affected by HIV view the statistics.

Is there a cure for HIV?

No, but treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy. People on HIV treatment can live a healthy, active life, although they may experience side effects from the treatment. If HIV is diagnosed late, treatment may be less effective.

How can I protect myself and others from HIV infection?

Always use a condom when having vaginal or anal sex. You also may want to use a condom or dental dam during oral sex although the risk of transmission of HIV is much lower. You can get free condoms from a sexual health clinic, which you can locate at via the FPA website. Never share needles, syringes or any other injecting equipment.

Did you know?

• Over a quarter of people with HIV in the UK don’t know they are infected.
• One in 20 gay men in the UK is living with HIV.
• For someone diagnosed today at 35, the average age of diagnosis in the UK, life expectancy is over 72.
• The most common treatment today for someone diagnosed with HIV early is one pill, once or twice a day.
• Lots of people with HIV work and their HIV does not affect their working life.
• With the right medical help, the vast majority (approximately 99 per cent) of HIV positive women can give birth to healthy uninfected babies.
• There is no known case of HIV ever being transmitted at school yet some schools in the UK still refuse to accept children with HIV.
• HIV affects all ages. One in six people living with HIV in the UK are over 50. Last year one in ten people diagnosed were aged 16 to 24.

Funny Leave Applications

This is a collection of leave letters and applications written by people in various places........ A student's leave letter: "As I am suffering from my uncle's marriage I cannot attend the class...." A candidate's application: "This has reference to your advertisement calling for a 'typist And an accountant - Male or Female'... As I am both for the past Several years and I can handle both; I am applying for the post." I.T.I., Lahore: An employee applied for leave as follows: "Since I have to go to my village to sell my land along with my wife. Please sanction me one-week leave."  Another employee applied for half day leave as follows:  "Since I've to go to the cremation ground at 10 o-clocks and I may not return, please grant me half day casual leave" A leave letter to the headmaster: "As I am studying in this school I am suffering from headache. I request you to leave me today" An incident of a leave letter: "I am suffering from fever, please declare one day holiday." Another leave letter written to the headmaster: "As my headache is paining, please grant me leave for the day. "  A covering note:  "I am enclosed herewith..."   From H.A.L. Administration dept: "As my mother-in-law has expired and I am responsible for it, Please grant me 10 days leave. " Actual letter written for application of leave:  "My wife is suffering from sickness and as I am her only husband At home I may be granted leave". Letter writing:  "I am in well here and hope you are also in the same well." Another gem from I.T.I. Leave-letter from an employee who was Performing his daughter's wedding:  "As I am marrying my daughter, please grant a week's leave..." Another one: "Dear Sir: with reference to the above, please refer to my below..."