December 1st is World AIDS Day. It is an occasion when individuals and organisations across the world make efforts to bring attention and awareness to HIV and AIDS and speak out against the stigma associated with these conditions. 

With advances in healthcare, the management of HIV has also improved throughout the years. However, there is still a lot of misconception and stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. 

Let’s look at some of the most common myths about HIV and AIDS, and clarify the facts.

Myths And Facts About HIV And AIDS

Myth 1: HIV and AIDS are the same.

Fact: No, HIV and AIDS are not the same. HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that causes an infection in humans and attacks the immune system. 

Over time, the infection may progress to a severe illness called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 

Myth 2. You can tell if someone has HIV by looking at them. 

Fact: If an individual is infected by HIV, they may have no symptoms at all, or they may display symptoms such as a fever, fatigue, or malaise, which are also symptoms of other types of infection, such as the flu (influenza).

Further, the initial mild symptoms after an HIV infection generally last only for a few weeks. So, there is no way to tell if someone is HIV-positive just by looking at them. 

The only way to know if someone is HIV-positive is when they get tested.

Myth 3. HIV always leads to AIDS.

Fact: No, this is not always the case. An HIV infection does not necessarily progress to AIDS, which is also called stage 3 HIV. 

This is because the virus (HIV) can remain in the latent state (resting and not reproducing) for many years in an infected individual. 

Many individuals who are HIV-positive live for years without developing AIDS. 

Myth 4. HIV is transferred by working or being in contact with HIV infected people. 


Fact: HIV is not transferred by touching, hugging, high-fiving, or shaking hands with an infected individual. It cannot spread by breathing in the same air as an infected person or touching common objects touched by them. 

HIV is transferred only through the blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, rectal fluid, or breast milk of an infected individual. 

Myth 5. HIV-positive people cannot have children who are HIV-negative.

Fact: Even if a woman is HIV-positive, it is possible for her to have a safe pregnancy and give birth to a child who is HIV-negative. 

If the woman takes her HIV medication regularly throughout her pregnancy (including labour and delivery) and gives medication to her baby after birth as recommended by the doctor, the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby is extremely low.

Similarly, for men who are HIV positive and wish to father a child, if they and their partner continue taking their medication, the risk of transmission of the virus to their baby is very low.

It is important to seek and share factual information about HIV and AIDS so that people have more awareness, can avail early diagnosis and treatment, and lead long and healthy lives.


Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.