HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #1
"Sexual intercourse" here means unprotected penetrative vaginal and anal intercourse - that is, when the penis enters the vagina or anus without a condom being used.
Note: 'HIV', not 'AIDS', as it is the virus which can be transmitted, not the syndrome.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #2
It would by physically and financially difficult to do this, as well as legally and morally questionable.
This test is only 'good' for that moment and antibodies could develop the next day, thus invalidating a 'negative' test.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #3
Donated blood is screened for HIV antibodies in Canada. In some countries, lack of finance means that there is no provision for screening.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #4
Economic and social circumstances could mean that injecting drugs users share equipment.
The virus is blood-borne, and injecting infected blood into the body along with the drug is highly effective in passing HIV to another person.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #5
Unprotected activity - sexual or injecting drug use - is risky.
Day-to-day living should not cause HIV transmission as the virus is fragile and normal hygienic practices protect you and the person affected by the virus.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #6
Emphasis needs to be placed on the caring aspects of sex. Many people find that they can be sexually fulfilled without penetration.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #7
Factor 8 is the blood product needed by haemophiliacs to clot their own blood.
In the early 1980s, untreated Factor 8 from HIV antibody positive donors lead to many haemophiliacs becoming HIV antibody positive.
Factor 8 has been heat-treated to kill the virus since October 1985 and donated blood is screened for HIV antibodies.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #8
HIV and AIDS affect people of either gender and any sexual orientation.
Worldwide most HIV transmission is heterosexual (around 70%).
In Canada most people with AIDS have so far been gay men, but the rate of heterosexual transmission is steadily rising.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #9
HIV will not live in the digestive juices of these insects.
They do not carry sufficient quantities of infected blood for transmission to be possible.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #10
HIV can pass across the placenta to the blood of the foetus, in common with other viruses.
The process itself may place the infant at extra risk. As of September 1996, 116 AIDS cases in Canada had been attributed to perinatal transmission.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #11
Condoms need to be properly used and used every time. They need to be put on and taken off carefully according to the instructions on the pack, so that no semen escapes from the condom. Stronger condoms are recommended for anal use.
To gain knowledge on how to use a condom properly, contact either:
NLAC
Newfoundland and Labrador AIDS Committee toll-free at 1 - 800 - 563 - 1575
or email ACWN
AIDS Committee of Western Newfoundland at
acwn@netscape.net
or contact the Public Health Nurse in your area.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #12
Anal intercourse is an activity practised between men and between men and women.
Virus transmission is especially easy in anal intercourse without a condom because of the thin lining of the rectum.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #13
In cases where the mother was infected after the birth, transmission through breast milk has occured, and it is believed to account for a few cases where the mother was infected earlier. However in countries without clean water, the benefits of breast feeding still outweigh the risk of diseases, even for mothers known to be HIV antibody positive.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #14
Very few cases of occupational infection of caregivers have been recorded (mostly through needle-stick injuries).
Normal hygienic practices should be used as when nursing any sick person.
A doctor or nurse can advise you on this statement.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #15
The virus cannot be transmitted by everyday contact and there would be no medical risk to the community.
As more people have AIDS, the need for community care will increase.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #16
Physical contact which does not involve the transfer of body fluids such as blood, semen or vaginal fluids is completely safe.
Intact skin is a 100 per cent barrier to HIV, which is not an airborne virus.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #17
Although the virus has been isolated in these body fluids, the concentration is not high and transmission has not been reported.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #18
There is no risk of infection when donating blood in Canada as a new sterile needle is used for each person. Every donation is screened for antibodies to HIV.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #19
Saliva has been shown not to be a transmission route.
So sharing cups and glasses is not a risk.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.
HIV/AIDS Myths or Facts
Statement Explanation
Statement #20
Modern commerical methods of ear-piercing use once-only 'guns' and so blood is not transferred to another person.
Reliable tattooists will also sterilize their equipment.
'Do-it-yourself' practices can be risky, if equipment is not sterilized and is used on more than one person.
SOURCE: National AIDS Awarreness Campaign Resource Guide.