Fact of Fiction: Top 6 of the Myths about HIV and AIDS (Part 1)

See some of the most common myths about HIV and AIDS

Over 33 million people worldwide are living with the HIV virus

Over 33 million people worldwide are living with the HIV virus. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition which leads to progressive failure of the immune system, allowing life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. HIV infects vital cells in the human immune system.
But many people do not know they are infected. Today there is available modern HIV testing which is extremely accurate. A single screening test is correct more than 99% of the time. The chance of a false-positive result in standard two-step testing protocol is estimated to be about 1 in 250,000 in a low risk population.
Although HIV has been around since 1981, there are still many uncertainties and myths around it. This is why we offer you to see 6 of the most common myths and facts about HIV and AIDS…

Carriers of HIV have to have AIDS

This is a Myth. HIV infection is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Consequently of this the state of the immune system gradually is being destroyed by the virus and the body fights very hard even with the smallest infections. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is AIDS – acquired immunodeficiency syndrome failure.
Being sick with AIDS means that a person who infected with the HIV-virus who has less than 200 CD4 T-lymphocytes per microliter in the blood and who suffers from one or more of the 26 specific conditions.
However, a person can have the HIV virus but still not have the AIDS.

HIV leads to short life

This is a Myth. Any person will experiencing HIV differently. One can be a carrier of HIV for years before they become ill with AIDS. Only when a person gets sick from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome failure (AIDS), it means that a fatal end can be expected in the next 1 – 2 years.
Modern treatment slows the progression of AIDS for years and allow HIV-seropositive people lead normal life. The life expectancy of infected people is close to the normal.

Source : dailyhealtharticles[dot]com