URBAN MYTHS AND HIV INFECTION

An urban myth is a rumor that isn't necessarily true. An example of an urban myth is: "you can become infected with the HIV virus if you hug somebody who is HIV positive." This just simply isn't true. The only way for you to contract the virus is to be exposed to the body fluids - blood, semen, vaginal secretions or blood borne products - of a person who already has the virus. There are a lot of urban myths regarding HIV infection. Some are:

• You can get it from the toilet seat
• You can get it from being in the same room with a person who is HIV positive
• If someone who is HIV positive visits your house, you should clean the house thoroughly with bleach
• You can get it if you take care of someone who has it

You can not become HIV positive from the toilet seat because the virus is killed once it comes in contact with air. Now - what if you were taking care of someone who is infected with the HIV virus and that person bled on the toilet seat, you had a cut on your finger, and you cleaned the toilet seat without wearing latex gloves, then can you become infected? Absolutely. Why? Because the blood may still contain the virus and you would be providing the virus with a portal to enter your body.

You can not become HIV positive simply by being in the same room with someone who is HIV positive. You would have to exchange body fluids with that person to be infected with the virus.

You do not have to clean your house thoroughly with bleach if someone who is HIV positive visits you in your home. You can not get the HIV virus from touching something that someone who is HIV positive touched.

If you are a caretaker for someone who is HIV positive and that person get sick, you should use precautions when caring for them. Wear latex gloves if you are required to deal with needles, blood, or blood borne products. You will be safe if you use the right precautions if you are a caretaker for someone who is HIV positive. If you are not handling needles or doing anything where you can exchange body fluids, then you shouldnt have to worry about contracting the virus.