5 myths about how AIDS gets infected
Every 1st December the world day against AIDS is celebrated, 24 hours dedicated to the sensitization and prevention of a disease which since 1981 has claimed about 25 million victims.
Although drugs to fight the HIV virus have made great strides, to date there is still a long way to go, especially since there is a lot of misinformation on the subject.
HIV is a virus that causes immunodeficiency or weakens some cells of our immune system and makes us more vulnerable. If not recognized, and if not properly treated, it can seriously compromise the functioning of our body, thus favoring the appearance of tumors (such as lymphomas and sarcomas) and infections of various kinds.
First of all we must remember that the abbreviations, which we are used to reading and pronouncing, do not indicate the same thing: HIV is a virus, AIDS is the disease that could ensue if the virus is left to act undisturbed. An "HIV-positive" person has contracted the virus but does not necessarily have AIDS.
Now that we understand in more detail what we're going to talk about, here are 5 false beliefs about it.
1. "I don't drink from your straw, maybe you infect" HIV with saliva "
There are three ways to contract HIV and saliva is not one of them.
Contagion can occur due to:
- sexually, that's why oral sex is always good but it's not impossible. Seek everything in your power to protect yourself!
- By blood (or blood). If the blood of a person who has contracted the virus comes into contact with yours, there is a possibility of contracting HIV.
- vertical transmission that is, from mother to children during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
Tasting the cocktail of a person who has contracted the virus, hugging or kissing them, are not ways of contagion unless, in the case of the kiss, the HIV-positive person has obvious lesions: saliva is not a vector of contagion, blood is.
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2. "It is the fault of homosexuals, drug addicts and prostitutes if there is" AIDS "
Anyone with a sexually active life can contract the virus. In fact, sexual transmission is the most widespread. Lifestyle does not matter: homosexuals and heterosexuals are equally likely to come into contact with HIV if unprotected. Vaginal penetration, anal penetration, the use of uncleaned sex toys used by several people are at risk. and oral sex for those who practice it, not for those who receive it: no matter who you share the sheets with, make sure you do it in the least risky way possible.
3. "I went out with someone but I don't know if to trust, I asked him to show me his classic blood tests"
The only way to diagnose HIV is to undergo HIV tests and not simple blood tests. In fact, even if they are blood tests, these tests are specific tests that can be carried out at the HIV Reference Centers. / AIDS of local health authorities and hospitals, treatment centers for STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and accredited collection centers. To avoid thoughts, always make love while protecting yourself:
4. "Yesterday I had unprotected intercourse, I have" anxiety, I run to take the test so they tell me immediately if I am HIV positive "
To find out if you have contracted the virus it is necessary to wait for a given period of time, called the "window period", the duration of which varies depending on the type of test you have decided to do.
The most common tests are two, namely:
- The ELISA test. It is a test that does not look for the virus but for the antibodies that are in charge of fighting it in the event that this should arise. If there was a risky episode, wait a month and take the test. If the result is negative and you want to be sure, do it again three months after the first test.
- The Combo test. One month the window period, detects the presence of a protein that increases after a few days from the infection and it is enough to do it only once.
There are also faster tests that can be performed in pharmacies but they do not have the same accuracy as those mentioned above.
5. "I have HIV, there is nothing more to do"
If contracted and if properly treated, HIV allows you to make plans and live a life similar in all respects to that of the rest of the population.
Do not despair, show up at one of the local offices and ask for help: do not allow yourself to become your disease, especially because, after contracting HIV, it does not necessarily lead to AIDS.
