HIV - How Much Do You Know About This Virus?
Is HIV a virus that affects only the gay population? The answer is definitely no.
This is a myth that has been widely refuted by health professionals.
Still, due to media sensationalism or just lack of information, a lot of people believe it is true.
Anybody can get HIV from unsafe sexual activity or blood to blood contact.
Even little babies may get this virus.
I have HIV; does that mean I am going to die? This is not necessarily true.
Nowadays, thanks to the medical breakthroughs people who are diagnosed with HIV can live longer than in the past.
There are many medications and treatments that allow people with HIV to lead a normal and overall healthy life.
Can you get HIV from oral sex? Yes.
There is a huge misconception on this subject.
There are a lot of people who believe that HIV cannot be transmitted through oral sex.
However, this is not truth.
Unprotected sex, whether insertive or receptive can result in the transmission of this virus.
If I do not have multiple sexual partners I don't need to worry about HIV, right? This is another myth.
Unfortunately, no matter how much you trust your partner you do not know what he or she has done in the past.
In addition, there is the possibility that your partner is not being faithful to you.
It is of utmost importance to wear a condom in every sexual intercourse.
Are HIV and AIDS synonyms? Actually HIV and AIDS are not the same thing.
HIV is a virus, which belongs to a group named retrovirus, which may cause AIDS.
This virus attacks the immune system, and the deterioration of it may lead to AIDS.
The latter is a group of diseases that the body cannot fight off.
Is there a cure for HIV? Unfortunately, scientists and doctors have not yet found a cure for HIV.
There is an extensive research being conducted on this matter, but experts do not foresee that a cure or vaccines for HIV will be discovered in the short term.
However, while HIV medications do not get rid of the virus, they do control it.
Can you get tested for HIV immediately after you had unsafe sex? While you can do it, it is recommended that you wait at least three months after having unsafe sex to get tested for HIV.
This is because HIV antibodies may take up to twelve weeks to be developed.
If you are tested before this period, your test results may be unclear.
Can a woman who is infected with HIV have a healthy baby? The answer for this question is definitely yes.
Thanks to medical advances women with HIV can have healthy pregnancies and babies.
That is why, if you have HIV and are looking to have a baby, you should talk to your doctor to get his professional advice.
Is unsafe sex the only way to get infected with HIV? No.
HIV can be transmitted by blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
So if you share a drug needle with somebody who is infected you are at risk of getting the virus.
Similarly, infected mothers who breastfeed their babies can also transmit HIV to their babies.
This is a myth that has been widely refuted by health professionals.
Still, due to media sensationalism or just lack of information, a lot of people believe it is true.
Anybody can get HIV from unsafe sexual activity or blood to blood contact.
Even little babies may get this virus.
I have HIV; does that mean I am going to die? This is not necessarily true.
Nowadays, thanks to the medical breakthroughs people who are diagnosed with HIV can live longer than in the past.
There are many medications and treatments that allow people with HIV to lead a normal and overall healthy life.
Can you get HIV from oral sex? Yes.
There is a huge misconception on this subject.
There are a lot of people who believe that HIV cannot be transmitted through oral sex.
However, this is not truth.
Unprotected sex, whether insertive or receptive can result in the transmission of this virus.
If I do not have multiple sexual partners I don't need to worry about HIV, right? This is another myth.
Unfortunately, no matter how much you trust your partner you do not know what he or she has done in the past.
In addition, there is the possibility that your partner is not being faithful to you.
It is of utmost importance to wear a condom in every sexual intercourse.
Are HIV and AIDS synonyms? Actually HIV and AIDS are not the same thing.
HIV is a virus, which belongs to a group named retrovirus, which may cause AIDS.
This virus attacks the immune system, and the deterioration of it may lead to AIDS.
The latter is a group of diseases that the body cannot fight off.
Is there a cure for HIV? Unfortunately, scientists and doctors have not yet found a cure for HIV.
There is an extensive research being conducted on this matter, but experts do not foresee that a cure or vaccines for HIV will be discovered in the short term.
However, while HIV medications do not get rid of the virus, they do control it.
Can you get tested for HIV immediately after you had unsafe sex? While you can do it, it is recommended that you wait at least three months after having unsafe sex to get tested for HIV.
This is because HIV antibodies may take up to twelve weeks to be developed.
If you are tested before this period, your test results may be unclear.
Can a woman who is infected with HIV have a healthy baby? The answer for this question is definitely yes.
Thanks to medical advances women with HIV can have healthy pregnancies and babies.
That is why, if you have HIV and are looking to have a baby, you should talk to your doctor to get his professional advice.
Is unsafe sex the only way to get infected with HIV? No.
HIV can be transmitted by blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
So if you share a drug needle with somebody who is infected you are at risk of getting the virus.
Similarly, infected mothers who breastfeed their babies can also transmit HIV to their babies.
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