Myths and Misconceptions Check what you know about HIV

MYTH A monogamous person cannot contract an STI like HIV. Individuals who are faithful to their partners may still be at risk for contracting STIs if their partners engage in sexual activity with other people. In addition, individuals who are currently monogamous with their partners may have contracted an STI/HIV from someone else in the past; therefore, they may have HIV without knowing it and/or without telling their current partners.

HIV is transmitted through contact with an HlV-positive person's infected body fluids. FACT HIV is transmitted through contact with an HlV-positive person's infected body fluids, such as semen, pre-ejaculate fluid, vaginal fluids, blood, or breast milk. HIV can also be transmitted through needles contaminated with HlV-infected blood, including needles used for injecting drugs, tattooing or body piercing.

HIV or AIDS can be cured. MYTH To date, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS and there are no vaccines to prevent HIV infection.

Since I only have oral sex, I'm not at risk for HIV/AIDS. MYTH You can get HIV by having oral sex with a man or a woman. That is why it is important to use a latex barrier during oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

I would know if a loved one or I had HIV. MYTH A person with HIV may not show any symptoms for up to 10 years. Since HIV affects each person differently, many people with HIV can look and feel healthy for years. The only sure way to know is to get tested.

Birth control methods do not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as HIV. FACT Birth control methods do not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as HIV. They only aim to prevent pregnancy. Only condoms if used correctly and consistently can be used for preventing HIV and STIs.

Antiretroviral drugs don't keep you from passing the virus to others. FACT Antiretroviral drugs don't keep you from passing the virus to others. Therapy can keep the viral load down to undetectable levels, but HIV is still present in the body and can still be transmitted to others.

Youth are particularly vulnerable to HIV FACT HIV is disproportionately higher among young people than adults for both biological and behavioral reasons. The highest reported cases of STIs are among young people (ages 15 to 24).

Condoms reduce the risk for contracting STIs, including HIV infection. FACT After abstinence, latex condoms are the most effective way to prevent STIs, including HIV infection. However, latex condoms are not 100% effective. Some groups have reported inaccurate research that suggests that HIV can pass through latex condoms, but this is not true. In fact, laboratory tests show that no STI, including HIV, can penetrate latex condoms (Gardner, Blackburn, & Upadhyay, 1999).