YouthNoise | Top 10: Myths About AIDS

Top 10 Myths About AIDS

Teenagers aren't really at risk.
WRONG.
Actually, young people have the fastest growing rate of infection worldwide.

Mostly gay men and drug users get it.
WRONG AGAIN.
Anyone, anywhere, can become infected with HIV.

There is a cure, but only rich people like Magic Johnson can afford it.
NOT TRUE.
Researchers have made great advances but there is still no known cure for HIV/AIDS, although there are several treatments for certain symptoms of the disease. AIDS medication can be very expensive, which is why those living in poverty can't always get it -- and also why it is often easier for those who have money and health insurance to get treatment.

	Let's face it, if you've had sex, then you're at risk. NOISEmaker kawabi says,"Because abstinence is not stressed highly, its importance gets brushed aside" at her school. What do you think?

You only need to get tested if you don't know your sex partner that well.
ARE YOU KIDDING?
You need to be tested regularly for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active, period. You should especially have yourself checked out if you have had unprotected sex.

You can tell someone has AIDS just by looking at them.
NOT LIKELY.
HIV basically progresses in four stages. The first stage is kind of flu-like and people often don't know they are infected. The second stage is called clinically asymptomatic -- it can last as long as ten years and infected people often show no symptoms at all. It's not until the third stage, when the body's immune system begins to fail, that symptoms really begin to appear. Stage four is when symptoms become severe and HIV is diagnosed as AIDS.

Heterosexual women are not at risk.
ON WHAT PLANET?
Women have surpassed men in new cases of infected people worldwide. Women are biologically, economically and socially more vulnerable to the disease than men.

You shouldn't kiss, hug, or share a meal or drink with someone who is HIV positive or has AIDS.
HERE'S THE DEAL:
The two main ways young people can get HIV are by having sex with an infected partner or by using a needle or a syringe that has been used by someone who is infected. HIV is present in the blood and sexual fluid of infected people. If either of those things gets into your bloodstream through a cut or open sore, infection may occur.

Wearing the "Red Ribbon" is the only way to help fight the AIDS pandemic.
NO WAY!
There are walk-a-thons, fundraisers, rallies and a ton of other ways to get involved. Want some hints? Find out how to Be the Solution.

It's really only bad in developing, third-world countries.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION?
How many more people have to die before you consider the HIV/AIDS pandemic "bad"? 10 million? 20 million?

You don't hear so much about it anymore, so it must not be that bad.
HELLO?
Why do you think we put this list together?



		• 3000 condoms and counting. • AIDS: Do something about it! • Diagnosed with HIV at 13. Read Hiwot's story. • Stats? We got your stats.

--By Heather Keets Wright