There are many myths around HIV and Aids. The health services in Sheffield would like to dispel these myths that can discourage people from finding out their HIV status, such as:
Myth – You can tell someone has HIV by the way they look.
Fact – You can't. There are no visible signs that would tell you that someone has HIV.
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Myth – You would know that you have HIV because you would feel ill.
Fact – Many people who have the HIV virus have no symptoms at all. It can be a long time before someone with HIV develops illnesses that are caused by the virus. If someone has a test that shows they have HIV, there is treatment and support to help stop them from getting ill.
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Myth – Having HIV means that you will die early.
Fact – There are treatments available that can help people living with HIV to live a long and healthy life. The sooner that HIV is diagnosed the better the chance that they can lead a full and healthy life.
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Myth – Only certain people will get HIV.
Fact – HIV can be caught by anyone regardless of your race, gender, sexuality or background.
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Myth- HIV can be cured.
Fact – There is no cure for HIV, however if diagnosed at an early stage treatment can be taken to control the virus.
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Myth – HIV is a punishment for doing something bad.
Fact – HIV is not a punishment. It is a virus.
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Myth – Kissing someone with HIV means they will pass it on to you.
Fact – You cannot get HIV through kissing, although the saliva swab can detect the presence of antibodies of the HIV virus through your saliva.