Common misunderstandings about HIV / AIDS

Many people think that oral and anal sex is not afraid of HIV transmission. In fact, the risk of transmitting the virus that causes AIDS in these two ways is very high, especially the anal.

Although HIV / AIDS has been discovered for many years and is frequently mentioned in the media, many people still misunderstand it. Dr. Nguyen Trong Thang - in charge of the voluntary HIV counseling and testing program, belongs to the HIV / AIDS Prevention and Care Project in Vietnam - points out some common misconceptions:

HIV infection means exhaustion and ulcers

(Photo: Yardflex.com) In fact, only those who have switched to AIDS have these symptoms. People with HIV before this period have a different appearance. If treated well, they remain healthy and push back the time of turning into AIDS. Many people who have been diagnosed with HIV for decades have been living normally.

Mosquito bites cause HIV infection

Many people think that mosquitoes that suck blood with HIV can transmit this virus when burning others. However, until now, no official research or source of information has confirmed that HIV can be transmitted through mosquitoes . mosquitoes.

People with HIV should have separate cup dishes

People with HIV and others can share dishes, cups and other utensils. However, drinking the same cup used without washing is not recommended even among ordinary people.

In the case of HIV infected people who have oral bleeding and wire on the cup, others who have oral lesions if they use this cup and drink in the right place can get the disease.

Oral and anal sex do not spread HIV

In fact, oral sex is at risk of spreading HIV, because the virus is in the genital fluid (semen, vaginal mucus), while the tongue, mouth, and gum mucosa are very vulnerable. , create an entry for the virus.

Does kissing cause HIV transmission?It depends on how you kiss and if you have any lesions in your mouth.If deep kissing, the tongue lining the mouth and the mouth have lesions, it can also be transmitted when exposed to blood carrying the virus.However, this risk is not high.

Anal sex also has a very high risk of HIV infection. The anus is not born for this function, so there are not many mucus glands and is very vulnerable, enabling HIV virus to penetrate. The risk is higher if the person giving the penis to the anus is the person who is infected with HIV.

Babies born to HIV-infected mothers are sure to be infected with this virus

Incorrect. Even without intervention, the risk of HIV infection of these children is only 30-40%. If the mother is treated with antiviral drugs during pregnancy, this risk can be reduced to 10%, even lower. From the mother, the HIV virus spreads to the baby right from the fetal period (via veggies), or when it passes out (due to contact with blood and genital fluid), or when it is born (via milk).

Two people with HIV " love " each other will not need a condom

HIV has many strains. In a couple of HIV-infected partners, it is possible that one person is infected with this strain, another is infected with the other. Failure to wear a condom will cause them to infect another HIV virus strain, making the body turn to AIDS more quickly.

In addition, when there is no condom, the couple also transmit to each other sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea . They make their immune-suppressed bodies more drained due to fighting with many diseases.

Douching immediately after having sex with an HIV-infected person will not be afraid to spread

There is no scientific basis to prove this. Even improper douching can kill the vagina, making it easier for the HIV virus to enter.

HIV infection during the window period will not be able to infect others

The window period is the time when the virus has entered the body, but the body has not produced enough antibodies to test it. 3-6 months after the virus has entered the body, the test will be detected. Thus, in the window period, the virus is actually in the body so it can still be transmitted to others.

Hai Ha