#HIVMythsAndFacts #WebMD

#HIVMythsAndFacts https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/ss/slideshow-hiv-myths-facts #aasraSuicidePrevention24x7Helpline912227546669 #BefriendersWorldwide #SamaritansUK #IASP #UN #WHO #AFSP #INFOTES #LifelineInternational #Google #Facebook #WorldMentalHealthAndWellnessAwarenessWeek #WorldMentalHealthAndWellnessAwarenessMonth #aasradotinfo. Having HIV Means You Have AIDS Myth. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that destroys the body's CD4 immune cells, which help fight disease. With the right medications, you can have HIV for years or decades without HIV progressing to AIDS. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is diagnosed when you have HIV as well as certain opportunistic infections or your CD4 cell count drops below 200. It's Difficult to Get HIV From Casual Contact Fact. You can't catch or spread HIV from hugging someone, using the same towel, or sharing the same glass. It's very rare to get HIV from a blood transfusion -- the U.S. blood supply is carefully tested. However, you can get the disease from having unprotected sex, sharing needles, or getting a tattoo from unsterilized equipment. Having HIV Means You Have AIDS Myth. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that destroys the body's CD4 immune cells, which help fight disease. With the right medications, you can have HIV for years or decades without HIV progressing to AIDS. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is diagnosed when you have HIV as well as certain opportunistic infections or your CD4 cell count drops below 200. Young couple in cafe sharing drink through straws 3/11 It's Difficult to Get HIV From Casual Contact Fact. You can't catch or spread HIV from hugging someone, using the same towel, or sharing the same glass. It's very rare to get HIV from a blood transfusion -- the U.S. blood supply is carefully tested. However, you can get the disease from having unprotected sex, sharing needles, or getting a tattoo from unsterilized equipment. Profile of a male doctor talking to a young woman 3/11 You Have Just a Few Years to Live Myth. Because of the HIV drugs that are now available, the truth is that many people can live for decades with HIV and have a normal or near-normal life span. You can help prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS by seeing your doctor regularly, taking your medicines, and following your doctor's guidance. Having HIV Means You Have AIDS Myth. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that destroys the body's CD4 immune cells, which help fight disease. With the right medications, you can have HIV for years or decades without HIV progressing to AIDS. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is diagnosed when you have HIV as well as certain opportunistic infections or your CD4 cell count drops below 200. Young couple in cafe sharing drink through straws 4/11 It's Difficult to Get HIV From Casual Contact Fact. You can't catch or spread HIV from hugging someone, using the same towel, or sharing the same glass. It's very rare to get HIV from a blood transfusion -- the U.S. blood supply is carefully tested. However, you can get the disease from having unprotected sex, sharing needles, or getting a tattoo from unsterilized equipment. Profile of a male doctor talking to a young woman 4/11 You Have Just a Few Years to Live Myth. Because of the HIV drugs that are now available, the truth is that many people can live for decades with HIV and have a normal or near-normal life span. You can help prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS by seeing your doctor regularly, taking your medicines, and following your doctor's guidance. African American man checking temperature 4/11 You'll Know You Have HIV Because of Your Symptoms Myth. Some people don't show signs of HIV for years after being infected. However, many can have some symptoms within 10 days to a few weeks after infection. These first symptoms are similar to the flu or mononucleosis and may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash, and muscle aches. They usually disappear after a few weeks and you may not have symptoms again for several years. The only way to tell you have HIV is to get tested. HIV Can Be Cured Myth. There is no cure for HIV in most cases, but treatment can control virus levels and help maintain your immune system. Some drugs interfere with proteins HIV needs to copy itself; others block the virus from entering or inserting its genetic material into your immune cells. All HIV-infected people should start treatment. These medicines are called antiretroviral therapy. Your doctor can say what drug combination is best for you. Anyone Can Get HIV Fact. About 37,600 people in the U.S. get HIV each year, and more than 12,000 people with AIDS die each year. Anyone can get HIV -- men, women, and children, people who are gay or straight. Men who have sex with men make up about 26,300 new HIV infections each year. Women account for about 7,400 new infections. African-Americans continue to have the most severe burden of HIV, compared with other races and ethnicities. Sex Is Safe When Both Partners Have HIV Myth. Just because you and your partner both have HIV, it doesn't mean you should forget about protection when having sex. Using a condom or other latex barrier can help protect you from other sexually transmitted diseases as well as other strains of HIV, which may be resistant to anti-HIV medication. Even if you are being treated and feel well, you can still infect others. A young mother holds baby 7/11 You Can Have a Baby if You Are HIV-Positive Fact. Infected mothers can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery. But you can lower the risk by working with your doctor and getting the right care and medication. Pregnant women with HIV can take medications to treat their infection and to help protect their babies against the virus. Mother watching her children in the water 7/11 You Can’t Avoid Other HIV-Related Infections Myth. People with HIV can be likely to get infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, candidiasis, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis. The best way to cut the risk is to take HIV medications. People with advanced HIV infection (AIDS) can prevent some of these infections with specific drugs in addition to antiretroviral therapy. You can lessen exposure to some germs by avoiding undercooked meat, litter boxes, and contaminated water. Credit card in hand with prescription bottles 7/11 You Can't Get Lifesaving Drugs Without Insurance Myth. There are government programs, nonprofit groups, and some pharmaceutical companies that may help cover the cost of HIV/AIDS drugs. But be aware: These drug "cocktails" can cost $10,000 a year or more. Talk to your local HIV/AIDS service organization to learn about financial help. You Can Have a Baby if You Are HIV-Positive Fact. Infected mothers can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery. But you can lower the risk by working with your doctor and getting the right care and medication. Pregnant women with HIV can take medications to treat their infection and to help protect their babies against the virus. You Can’t Avoid Other HIV-Related Infections Myth. People with HIV can be likely to get infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, candidiasis, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis. The best way to cut the risk is to take HIV medications. People with advanced HIV infection (AIDS) can prevent some of these infections with specific drugs in addition to antiretroviral therapy. You can lessen exposure to some germs by avoiding undercooked meat, litter boxes, and contaminated water. Credit card in hand with prescription bottles 9/11 You Can't Get Lifesaving Drugs Without Insurance Myth. There are government programs, nonprofit groups, and some pharmaceutical companies that may help cover the cost of HIV/AIDS drugs. But be aware: These drug "cocktails" can cost $10,000 a year or more. Talk to your local HIV/AIDS service organization to learn about financial help. You Can't Get Lifesaving Drugs Without Insurance Myth. There are government programs, nonprofit groups, and some pharmaceutical companies that may help cover the cost of HIV/AIDS drugs. But be aware: These drug "cocktails" can cost $10,000 a year or more. Talk to your local HIV/AIDS service organization to learn about financial help. What Affects Your HIV Treatment? Things That Affect Your HIV Treatment Keep Treatment Under Control HIV drugs can keep you healthy and help you live a long life. They can also prevent the virus from spreading to people you have sex with. But be careful -- some things make it harder for the treatment to work. Know the best way to take your medicines so you will get the most out of them. Skipping Doses HIV drugs work by slowing down how fast the virus can make copies of itself in your body. When you skip a dose of your meds, that gives