The Myths and Facts About HIV/Aids

In order to understand how the disease can be managed, you have to understand it. And to understand it you have to know all the facts as well as the myths about the disease.  

 

Here are some of the most popular myths about the disease according to the Aids Foundation of South Africa (AFSA): 

Myth: Taking immune boosters and vitamins can cure HIV/Aids.​  

Fact: Although treatments, like Anti-retrovirals (ARVs), make living with HIV/Aids possible, a cure is not yet available. Immune boosters help the body to produce more white blood cells, which help the body fight off diseases and infection, but this cannot be taken into account as there are different types of white blood cells and HIV targets one type of white blood cells, namely the T-helper cells which immune boosters cannot enhance. 

Myth: Having sex with a virgin can cure HIV/Aids. 

Fact: This is absolutely not true. This myth predates HIV/Aids and is thought to have originated in the Victorian era where it was believed that having sex with a virgin would cure one of venereal diseases, like syphilis and gonorrhoea. This has become a more popular trend in South Africa but there is no cure for HIV/Aids. 

Myth: Mosquitos can transmit HIV/Aids.

Fact: It is a well-known fact that mosquitos transmit serious diseases like malaria and yellow fever, but they cannot transmit HIV/Aids. There are a number of reasons why this is not possible – mosquitos do not carry enough blood to infect a person with the disease and if it was possible, an uninfected person would have to be bitten by 10 million mosquitos who previously bit an HIV positive person. 

Myth: Male circumcision can prevent HIV.

Fact: Although male circumcision can lessen the risk of contracting the virus by up to 60%, according to several studies, it does not prevent HIV infection. 

Myth: Partners who are both HIV positive do not need to use condoms.

Fact: Even if you and your partner are both HIV positive you still need to practice safe sex in order to prevent yourselves from contracting drug resistant strains of HIV, as you and your partner could have different strains of HIV. 

Over the last 10 years the fight against HIV/Aids has seen a lot of change. Prevention of transmission from mother to baby has been reduced drastically, new research reveals further benefits of putting HIV positive pregnant women on ARVs earlier and even though we are far from a cure, research is still continuing. 

The Western Cape Department of Health has facilities all over the province that offer free and confidential HIV testing. Look for one close to you and get tested.