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Myths about HIV/AIDS

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Myths about HIV/AIDS

While there are significant steps that have been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS internationally, hurdles still exist in some areas. Recent research by the Centre for Disease Control reported that the management and control of the virus are being hampered by so many misconceptions (Strathdee et al., 2015). In light of the ensuing misinformation about HIV/AIDS, the ensuing paper seeks to discuss the myths about HIV as well as making recommendations for prevention.

According to data collected from various scholars and experts around the USA, the following are part of the most glaring myths persona have with regards to the HIV.

The first misconception according to Dr. Michael Horberg is that ‘HIV is a death sentence.' The expert observes that since the advent of highly effective therapy using antiretroviral drugs in the year 1996, persons living with the virus and who have access to these medications can expect to live normal lifestyles and lifespans (Strathdee et al., 2015). It is therefore untrue that one's life is doomed upon contracting the disease.

The second misconception is that one can tell if someone is infected by merely looking at them. The signs and symptoms of an HIV infection are often unremarkable, and the resulting symptoms are always similar to other kinds of disease. The initial symptoms are usually mild and prevail only for a few weeks. Strathdee et al., (2015) opine that when an infected person is introduced to ARVs in time, management of the virus can be useful. These persons are often relatively as healthy as every other individual living without the virus. It noteworthy to point out that some symptoms are usually associated with HIV infections. However, the truth is that these signs are those that are likely to arise from illnesses or complications that are related to AIDS. Studies have established the fact that such symptoms are unlikely to manifest if the patient is on antiretroviral drugs medication.

The third myth is that straight people are not at risk of HIV infection. While it is true that HIV is more prevalent in gay and bisexual persons, it does not mean that the straight lot is safe. Statistics have indicated that the LGBT lot especially the young black American male population record the highest number of transmission of the virus (Strathdee et al., 2015). While findings from a CDC research show that this group of individuals account for 70 percent of infections, 24 percent of new infections were caused by heterosexuals.

The question of social, racial and ethnic elements have arisen in the discussion of these trends. Studies show that African-Americans have higher transmission risks compared to all the other races (Maulsby et al., 2014). Findings of CDC studies put HIV diagnoses for the black American community at eight times higher compared to Caucasian white males. That rate is even worse for the black American women whose contraction rate is at 16 times more. The Hispanic women, on the other hand, have 11 times more chances of contracting the HIV. Maulsby et al., (2014) have established that black American women have the highest rates of new HIV infection compared to every other ethnicity or race. As at 2015, the statistics of HIV prevalence in the US put black American women at 59 percent of females living with the virus. The Latina and white had 19 and 17 percent representation respectively.

In summary, there are many more misconceptions and misinformation about HIV. It is therefore imperative that stakeholders educate the masses on the same as it will affect the fight against HIV/AIDS positively. While it is unfortunate that there is yet to be a cure for this virus, individuals who contract the disease are still able to live long and healthy lives if introduced to regular ARV treatment.

References

Maulsby, C., Millett, G., Lindsey, K., Kelley, R., Johnson, K., Montoya, D., & Holtgrave, D. (2014). HIV among black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States: a review of the literature. AIDS and Behavior, 18(1), 10-25.

Strathdee, S. A., Crago, A. L., Butler, J., Bekker, L. G., & Beyrer, C. (2015). Dispelling myths about sex workers and HIV. The Lancet, 385(9962), 4-7.

References

Maulsby, C., Millett, G., Lindsey, K., Kelley, R., Johnson, K., Montoya, D., & Holtgrave, D. (2014). HIV among black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States: a review of the literature. AIDS and Behavior, 18(1), 10-25.

Strathdee, S. A., Crago, A. L., Butler, J., Bekker, L. G., & Beyrer, C. (2015). Dispelling myths about sex workers and HIV. The Lancet, 385(9962), 4-7.