HIV FACT OR FICTION?

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Outline
Introduction
Common misconceptions about HIV
Brief historical timeline of HIV
Conclusion

Introduction

HIV is an abbreviation that in full stands human immunodeficiency virus. If it is not

treated early, HIV can cause to the disease AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome).Unlike many other viruses, the human body cannot fully get rid of HIV. Therefore,
once someone contracts HIV, theywill have it for life.
HIV attacks the human bodys immune system, more specifically the CD4 cells (T cells).
The cells are usually responsiblefor helping the immune system fight off and prevent infections.
If not treated early, HIV destroys and as a result, reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the
body, making the person more likely to get infection-related cancers. Over time, HIV kills too
many of these cells that the body can no longer fight off infections and diseases. These
opportunistic infections take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person
has AIDS, the last state of HIV infection.
No known effective cure for HIV currently exists, but with proper treatment and medical
care, HIV can be controlled especially if diagnosed early before progression to AIDS. Although,
a person could prevent transmission of the virus by practicing safe sex methods. There are many
misconceptions about HIV ranging from misconceptions on its causes to how it can be
eradicated.
Common misconceptions of HIV
Misconceptions on how HIV can either be transmitted or prevented can often prevent
individuals from making informed decisions and taking appropriate action. Misconceptions
regarding transmission during normal social contact and pre-existing negative attitudes towards
marginalized groups have been associated with prejudice towards HIV-infected people(Nyblade
L, Pande R, Mathur S, et al. 2003).
Extreme degree of HIV misconceptions are a constant barrier to HIV prevention. There is
a common misconception that one can contract HIV by being spit on, receiving a handshake
from an already infected person. Also, many think a bite from a mosquito that has bit an infected
person could also lead to contraction. However, based on CDC report on AIDS, HIV is not
transmitted through saliva, and it cannot also be transmitted by mosquitoes, flies, or any other
insects. Body fluids that cannot cause spread of HIV are saliva, sweat, tears and urine. Also, the
virus cannot survive in any insects body(Niehaus and Jonsson, 2005).
A research conducted in South Africa showed that many people believed that witchcraft
played a role in HIV transmission. There was also a lesser belief in condom effectiveness for
HIV prevention. The belief that vitamins and fresh fruits and vegetables can cure the resulting
AIDS was associated with lower intentions among men to use condoms (Laura M Bogart et
al.2011).
There is also a common misconception that if two partners have HIV, then there should
be required to use a condom during coitus. However, this is not true. One would still need to
practice safer sex. Keeping in mind, there are different strains (types) of HIV, even if one partner
has HIV, he or she can be infected with a different type from what he or she already has. One
could become infected with drug-resistant strains of HIV making it very hard for treatment to
work (SivelJ. ,2016).

Historical timeline of HIV

The first case of HIV infection in a human was found in 1959. However, first cases of
HIV in the United States did not occur up until 1981. Homosexual men began dying from
unknown, pneumonia-like infections. In June 1981, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) first described the symptoms of this unknown disease in one of their
publications (Prof Michael H Merson, et al. 2008).
In 1984, Dr. Robert Gallo and his fellow colleagues at the National Cancer Institute
discovered what caused AIDS. Gallo found out that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
was and is the virus responsible for HIV infections. The infection is distinct from AIDS, the fullblown syndrome. By 1994, HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death among Americans ages 25
to 44.
The FDA approved the first protease inhibitor in 1995. This began a new era of strong
treatment and response called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). By 1997, HAART
was the standard of treatment for HIV. Soon, the number of deaths caused by AIDS begins to
fall. The FDA approved the first at-home HIV test kit in 2002. The test was 99.6 percent
accurate. This opened up the possibility for people to test their status in the privacy of their own
homes. In 2013, the CDC released a study that found that a daily dose of medication may be able
to halt the transfer of HIV from a positive person to a negative person.
Conclusion
There are a lot of other ill-advised misconceptions about HIV. It is, however, good to
distinguish them from facts about the virus. HIV is caused primarily by exchange of body fluids
such as blood, semen and vaginal discharge. There is also no cure for the disease but rather,
control of the virus progression to AIDS. Safe sex practices is the best way to prevent spread of
the disease. Sharing needles or syringes, rinse water, or other equipment used to prepare drugs
for injection with someone who has HIV could also spread the virus. HIV can live in a used
needle up to 42 days depending on temperature and other factors. A lesser cause, from the mother
to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. Although the risk could be high if a mother is
living with HIV and not taking medicine, recommendations to test all pregnant women for HIV
and start HIV treatment immediately has lowered the number of babies who are born with HIV.
Testing to know ones HIV status is also advised (Kerry Nolte, et al. 2016).

References
Bodibe, K. (2012, March 28). Myths around AIDS still abound Living with AIDS. AllAfrica

news.
http://www.health-e.org.za/2012/04/26/myths-around-aids-still-aboundliving-with-aids-513
Bogart, L. et al. (2011). HIV/AIDS misconceptions may be associated with condom use among
black South Africans: an exploratory analysis. African Journal of AIDS Research, 10(2), 181
187.
Dickinson, D. (2011). Myths, science and stories: working with peer educators to counter
HIV/AIDS myths. African Journal of AIDS Research, 1,
Fetterman, D. (2010). Ethnography: Step-by-Step. London, Sage
Grebe E &Nattrass N. (2012). AIDS Conspiracy Beliefs and Unsafe Sex in Cape Town. AIDS
And Behavior, 16, 761773.
Hu, M. (2013, April 30). Virgin cure myth alive & well. JournAIDS.
http://www.journaids.org/index.php/blog/blogentry/virgin_cure_myth_alive_well

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The sources should not be more than 5 years old unless otherwise stated (2011-2016)
The paper is supposed to 2 pages double spaced not single, try to be brief. Umeandika sana,
especially kwa introduction.
Make sure the milestones are at least 8 as stated. These links will help:

https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/aids-timeline/
http://www.avert.org/professionals/history-hiv-aids/overview