Misonceptions and Stigmas Surrounding HIV/AIDS
Rumors and myths about HIV/AIDS exist throughout the world. These misconceptions are extremely dangerous because those who believe them remain uneducated about actual prevention methods. Some common myths about the virus from around the globe follow.
1. “The HIV virus is found within saliva. Therefore, it is possible to get HIV from
kissing.”
2. “Having s*x with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS in a person.”(Common in parts of
Africa and has resulted in the rapes of many young girls.)
3. “HIV/AIDS only occurs in gay men”
4. “HIV/AIDS only occurs in s*x workers”
5. “HIV/AIDS only occurs in injection-drug users”
6. “The HIV virus is so small that it can pass through a latex c*ndom”
7. “The CIA created HIV to kill the African population”
8. “HIV can be transmitted through day-to-day contact with an infected person” (such as sharing a glass or food, hugging, coughing, etc)
9. “It is possible to contract HIV from giving blood”
10. “Mosquitoes can spread HIV”
11. “Women with HIV can't have children”
12. “Women can't pass HIV to men”
13. “A person can not get HIV from having s*x just one time”
14. “Showering and douching after s*x prevents HIV”
15. “HIV and AIDS is the same thing”
16. “There is a cure for HIV/AIDS”
17. “A person can get AIDS from a toilet seat”
18. “All people who get HIV will get AIDS”
1. “The HIV virus is found within saliva. Therefore, it is possible to get HIV from
kissing.”
2. “Having s*x with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS in a person.”(Common in parts of
Africa and has resulted in the rapes of many young girls.)
3. “HIV/AIDS only occurs in gay men”
4. “HIV/AIDS only occurs in s*x workers”
5. “HIV/AIDS only occurs in injection-drug users”
6. “The HIV virus is so small that it can pass through a latex c*ndom”
7. “The CIA created HIV to kill the African population”
8. “HIV can be transmitted through day-to-day contact with an infected person” (such as sharing a glass or food, hugging, coughing, etc)
9. “It is possible to contract HIV from giving blood”
10. “Mosquitoes can spread HIV”
11. “Women with HIV can't have children”
12. “Women can't pass HIV to men”
13. “A person can not get HIV from having s*x just one time”
14. “Showering and douching after s*x prevents HIV”
15. “HIV and AIDS is the same thing”
16. “There is a cure for HIV/AIDS”
17. “A person can get AIDS from a toilet seat”
18. “All people who get HIV will get AIDS”
