Some common myths about HIV/AIDS:
Myth: It's a gay disease.
Truth: As reported by the CDC, 32% of Americans who were recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS were heterosexual. 1 HIV does not discriminate. Anyone can get it if he or she is not careful.
Myth: HIV is prevalent in places like Africa, but Americans don't need to worry about it.
Truth: Many Americans are under the false assumption that the AIDS epidemic is no longer a cause of concern in this country. However, nearly a million U.S. residents are living with HIV. New infections occur at a rate of 55,000 a year in the United States.2
Myth: Senior citizens are not at risk for getting HIV.
Truth: Eleven percent of all new AIDS cases are in people over the age of 50.3 Infection rates are growing rapidly among older Americans, but because HIV isn't commonly associated with seniors, cases of HIV infection often are not diagnosed properly. Older people may not recognize HIV symptoms in themselves because they think what they are feeling and experiencing is part of normal aging. Due to drugs such as Viagra and Levitra, older people are now more sexually active than ever. However, like everyone else, it's important for seniors to practice safe sex.
Myth: An HIV vaccine will cause a person to get AIDS.
Truth: It is impossible for an HIV vaccine to cause AIDS.
Because the vaccines are man-made, there is no HIV in the vaccine, either living or dead. Some HIV vaccines are
composed of genetically engineered pieces of HIV proteins, which cannot cause AIDS. Some other HIV vaccines are composed of a weakened form of a cold virus.
Myth: An HIV vaccine exists, but the government is keeping it a secret.
Truth: There is no HIV vaccine yet. Since 1983, when scientists discovered that HIV
causes AIDS, more than 60 medical research centers around the country have gotten involved in trying to find an effective HIV
vaccine. There have been promising breakthroughs in research on vaccines that reduce viral load, thereby decreasing chances of transmission from someone who is HIV positive to someone who is not.
We are still working hard to find a preventative HIV vaccine that will be safe and effective for all people around the world.
Myth: I'm just one person. I can't do much about AIDS.
Truth: With small steps, you can do a lot to prevent the spread of HIV. You can:
