Recognize the difference between HIV with AIDS

UN agency to issue AIDS (UNAIDS) stated, Indonesia is one country that has the fastest increase in incidence of HIV / AIDS in Asia. It, too, the public's understanding of the disease of HIV / AIDS is still very low. Various myths are wrong is still regarded as the truth, giving rise to stigma and discrimination.

To better understand this disease, refer to the myths surrounding HIV / AIDS and find the facts.

HIV with AIDS

Fact: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that destroys the body's CD4 immune cells, these are the cells that fight disease. With good medical therapy, a person can be infected with HIV for years without developing AIDS.

A person diagnosed with AIDS when the immune system decline that manifests with the emergence of various diseases opotunistik malignancies, such as tuberculosis, herpes, toxoplasmosis, and much more. In this phase, the flu can cause death.

HIV and AIDS is a disease of homosexuals and prostitutes

Fact: Most people with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA) are heterosexual (having sex with the opposite sex) as well as injecting drug users. Data in Indonesia in 2011 as many as 76.3 percent of new AIDS cases acquired from heterosexual sexual transmission.

HIV / AIDS can be transmitted through casual contact

Fact: We will not contracting or spreading HIV just by hugging, kissing, shaking hands, or use the same towel with PLWHA. Transmission of HIV virus through unprotected sex occurs only at risk without a condom, using the same syringe, as well as transmission from mother to infant.

HIV / AIDS is God's curse

Fact: The disease is transmitted through blood, sexual contact and from mother to infant. This disease can affect anyone, men, women, infant, adult, homosexual, or heterosexual.

HIV positive means it will soon die

Fact: Every HIV-positive people who have different endurance. There are some people who travel with HIV infection to AIDS and decades of normal life, like Magic Johnson. But there is also a new matter of months was infected. Currently, the available drugs to slow the pace of development of the virus, namely antiretroviral therapy (antiretroviral).