HIV/AIDS: Myths and facts

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Please read and share these facts to dispel any myths about the disease.

HIV

  • HIV stands for 'human immunodeficiency virus'.
  • HIV infects cells of the human immune system and destroys or impairs their function. Infection with this virus results in the progressive deterioration of the immune system, leading to 'immune deficiency'.
  • The immune system is considered deficient when it can no longer fight off infections and diseases. Immunodeficient people are susceptible to a wide range of infections that would normally be considered rare in those without this deficiency.
  • Most people who are infected with HIV do not know that they have become infected because there are no immediate symptoms. However, some people do develop 'acute retroviral syndrome' which is similar to glandular fever illness - fever, rash, joint pains and enlarged lymph nodes. Once the virus has caused progressive deterioration of the immune system, increased susceptibility to infection may lead to symptoms.
  • Whether or not the HIV infection causes initial symptoms, a newly infected person is highly infectious during this time and will the virus will be undetectable should they be tested, they can transmit the virus to another person.
  • The only way to determine whether someone is infected with HIV is by testing for HIV antibodies or for HIV itself. Antibodies form in the body approximately 45 days after infection.
  • HIV is found in many body fluids including blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.
  • HIV is transmitted through unprotected penetrative (vaginal or anal) and oral sex with an infected person; blood transfusion with contaminated blood; using contaminated syringes, needles or sharp instruments; from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
  • You CANNOT get HIV from day-to-day social contact such as handshakes, hugs, drinking from the same glass, playing sports together, coughs, sneezes, sweat, urine or toilets. You should not be fearful of interacting with anyone who is living with the disease.
  • There is no evidence to suggest that HIV can be transmitted through kissing on the mouth. For this to happen, you would need to consume 1 litre of infected saliva.

AIDS

  • AIDS stands for 'acquired immunodeficiency syndrome' and refers to the signs, symptoms, infections and cancers that are associated with HIV due to the gradual deterioration of the immune system.
  • The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. This is normally when the person has any of the more than 20 opportunistic infections or HIV related cancers. It can also be defined as having a CD4 positive T cell count of less than 200 per mm3 of blood.
  • The length of time it takes for HIV to develop to AIDS varies between individuals. The majority of people infected with HIV, if not treated, develop signs of HIV-related illness within 5 to 10 years, but the time between infection with HIV and being diagnosed with AIDS can be 10 to 15 years, if not longer.
  • Antiretroviral therapy can slow down disease progression to AIDS by decreasing the infected person's viral load.

Additional resources

  • For more information on HIV/ AIDS, please visit your nearest health practitioner or visit www.unaids.org.