AIDS.pptx

Misconceptions and Impacts Misconception 1 HIV/AIDS is a death sentence. Truth In the 1980s and early 1990s, there was little to no treatment available and the AIDS death rate was very high. Now, over thirty medications have been approved by the U.S. government to fight HIV and AIDS, with many more in development. Misconception 2 Women who are HIV positive can’t--- and shouldn’t---have babies. Truth Through HIV can be transmitted from mother to child, it is completely possible---and completely normal---for positive mothers to give birth to happy, healthy babies. There are a number of options available for HIV-positive women looking to have children. Misconception 3 You can have ‘full-blown AIDS’. Truth HIV is a virus---it stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and is a diagnosis that is given to someone with HIV when one of two things happen: You have less than 200 white blood cells or if you get an opportunistic infection. Misconception 4 HIV/AIDS is a chronic manageable disease… just like diabetes. Truth HIV/AIDS is a chronic manageable disease. However, unlike HIV/AIDS, having diabetes does not have nearly as much stigma attached to it. HIV stigma is any feeling of disgrace/shame/dirtiness associated with someone who is HIV positive. People with HIV are often met with violence, legal action, job loss, betrayal from former partners and more. Misconception 5 You can use alternative medicines to treat HIV exclusively. Truth Many people do treat symptoms of HIV with alternative medicines---HIV medicines can have plenty of side effects. But to use alternative medicine exclusively can be dangerous. Impact of HIV/AIDS Demographic changes People in their most productive years killed Family structures altered Orphans--- 15% of children in worst affected countries by 2010 Impact of HIV/AIDS Women are disproportionately affected an increasing number of infections are among women women are more vulnerable to infection w