The HIV virus was discovered in 1984 and over the past 30 years has changed a lot. Science has evolved and the cocktail that previously covered the use of a lot of drugs, now has a smaller and more effective number, with fewer side effects.
However, although the time and quality of life of the infected person has improved considerably, HIV still has no cure or vaccine, and there are still doubts about it and that is why we have separated the main myths and truths about HIV and AIDS. here so you’re well informed.
- TRUTH: All people infected with HIV are advised to have condom-only sex to protect their partner.
- Condoms are the best form of protection against the HIV virus and should therefore be used with each intimate contact and should be changed after each ejaculation.
MYTH: Contact with saliva does not transmit hiv virus and therefore kisses on the mouth can occur without weight for consciousness, unless couples have mouth sores, because every time there is contact with blood, there is a risk of contagion.
VEREDICTO: If the HIV-positive woman becomes pregnant and undergoes appropriate treatment throughout pregnancy, the risk of the baby being born with the virus is minimal. Although lower-risk delivery is elective C-section, a woman may also choose to have a normal delivery. childbirth, but repeated labor with blood and bodily fluids is needed to avoid contaminating the baby. However, a woman cannot breastfeed because the virus passes into milk and can contaminate the baby.
MYTH: An HIV-positive woman may become pregnant, but she must undergo a negative viral load test and still need to take all medications her doctor tells her not to contaminate the baby In all cases, if the male or female is HIV positive to prevent partner contamination, in vitro fertilization is recommended , especially advising to use the intracytopplasmic sperm injection technique, in this case the doctor removes some of the woman’s eggs and, in the laboratory, inserts the man’s sperm into the egg and, after a few hours, implants these cells into the woman’s uterus.
MYTH: Although the partner is also HIV positive, it is recommended to use condoms in all intimate contacts because there are different subtypes of the HIV virus and their viral load is different, for example, if a person only has type 1 HIV but their partner has HIV 2, if they have condomless sex, they will both have both types of viruses, making treatment difficult.
MYTH: HIV refers to the human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS is human immunodeficiency syndrome and therefore these terms cannot be used interchangeably. Having the virus does not mean being sick and that is why the term AIDS is only indicated when the person becomes sweet due to the weakness of their immune system and can take more than 10 years.
VEREDICTO: The person who practices oral sex is not at risk of contamination, but those who practice oral sex can become infected at any time, both at the beginning of the act, when there is only natural lubricating fluid of man, and during ejaculation. That is why it is recommended to use condom even in oral sex.
TRUTH: Using a sex toy after an HIV-positive person can also transmit the virus, leaving the person infected and therefore not recommended to share these toys.
MYTH: After contact with an HIV-positive person, it can take up to 6 months for the person’s body to produce HIV antibodies 1 and 2 that can be identified during an HIV test. Therefore, if you were at risk during sex without a condom, you should get your first HIV test and after 6 months you should have a new test. If the result of the second test is also negative, it indicates that you haven’t really been infected.
TRUTH: With the advancement of science, antiretrovirals are more effective and have fewer side effects, bringing a better quality of life, in addition, people today are better informed and there are fewer prejudices about the HIV and AIDS virus, however it is essential to perform the treatment by taking the medicines indicated by the specialist in infectious diseases, always use condoms and perform regular medical examinations and consultations.