The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 3.5 billion people have died from the HIV virus worldwide. About seven lakh people died in 2019 alone. Another 37 million people worldwide are affected by the disease. About 1.7 million more people are infected with the virus each year. Only you can get AIDS from the HIV virus. It is one of the most important health crises in the world. The virus was first reported in the 1980s.
7
Misconceptions about AIDS:
1.
General contact with infected people: In 2016, 20% of the UK
population believed that if you touched an HIV-infected person, you would also
be infected. But it is not a contagious disease. Breathing in the same air,
shaking hands, hugging, kissing, eating food in the same container, drinking
water, using personal items used by the infected person, using the toilet used
by the infected person will not infect the HIV virus.
2.
Some common myths about healing: In some African
countries, India and Thailand, the virus is eradicated by having sex with a
virgin girl or someone who has no sexual experience. But this is a completely
wrong idea. So much so that virgins are attacked. This belief has led to the
rape of virgins in the region. Similar beliefs were prevalent in Europe in the
16th century when syphilis and gonorrhea spread. However, even in that case,
sexual intercourse with virgins is not effective.
3.
Is it spread by mosquitoes: Mosquitoes bite people in the same
house. It is also a misconception that biting an infected person can spread
even if it bites another person. The idea that bathing after sexual intercourse
clears the HIV virus is also completely wrong. Although the virus is spread by
blood, studies have shown that you will not be infected by mosquitoes or
blood-eating insects. One is that he eats blood from one's body and does not
inject it into another person's body. And in the body of a mosquito or other
insect, this germ survives very little time.
4.
What can happen in oral sex: Oral sex with an
infected person is relatively less risky. However, it is possible to be
infected through oral sex with HIV positive women or men. But its rate is very
rare.
5.
There are also risks in condoms: There is no risk of
getting infected with HIV if you use condoms. Such an idea is not correct. This
is because if the condom leaks during sexual intercourse with the infected
person, you may be in danger. It's not just condoms that are being encouraged
in the campaign lately. Regular blood tests are also being encouraged. At least
one in four people infected does not know they are infected. He may be
unknowingly attacking others.
6. What happens if there are no
symptoms: It is also a misconception that if there are no
symptoms, you are not infected with HIV. Even after being infected with this
bacterium, a person may not show any symptoms for a long time. Thus, an
infected person can live for 10-15 years. Influenza may appear within the first
few weeks after the virus enters the body, causing mild fever, headache, sore
throat and rash. Other symptoms may occur when the body's immune system is
weakened. The main danger of HIV is the loss of immunity.
7.
HIV-infected people die at a young age: HIV-positive people have
been able to live a long and healthy life for a variety of treatments. The
United Nations HIV agency says 46 percent of those infected have HIV levels
under control. Many times even blood tests do not catch the germ. However, if
they neglect treatment, its levels may become stronger again. An infected
mother may not infect her baby if the germs are controlled. Mothers do not
always infect children.
Read More: Coronavirus vaccine: Things you need to know if you are interested in getting vaccinated
The common belief is that
if an infected woman gives birth to a child, the germs will be passed on to her
baby. But that may not always be the case. If the level of germs in the body of
the infected mother is under control, she may not infect the baby during
childbirth.
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