Word on the Street: What Is the Craziest Myth You've Heard About HIV/AIDS?

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Word on the Street: What Is the Craziest Myth You've Heard About HIV/AIDS?

People living with and working in HIV are also front-line witnesses to the prevalence of HIV myths -- even now, after decades of information and education around HIV. We've asked scores of people from the Latino community to share some of the most colorful, unsettling myths they've heard. Take a look at what they had to say.

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This article was provided by TheBody.com.

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Comment by: Irvin (Springfield, MO) Wed., Mar. 27, 2013 at 11:15 am EDT
I was working a phone line once and a lady called in to ask what she should do about this situation. A man, "who had feminine tendencies", was working on her car and cut his finger. He washed his hands in a nearby puddle of water and a few minutes later she saw her dog drinking out of that same puddle. She was freaking out about where to take her dog to get tested and treated. I reminded her that IF the man even had HIV, that the "H" in HIV stood for Human and reassured her the dog would be okay!

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Comment by: Ralph Allovuh (Crescent City, CA) Mon., Mar. 25, 2013 at 8:50 am EDT
The craziest thing I've heard is Gays trying to say that it's not their fault that the blood supply got tainted with AIDS which killed innocent people who weren't gay. They spread the AIDS, not straight people, not drug users- the gay drug users introduced it to the drug users.

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Comment by: JIHAD W (NEW HAVEN,CT) Fri., Mar. 8, 2013 at 2:48 pm EST
I WAS READING AN ARTICLE A WHILE BACK.IT WAS ABOUT WHY THESE SO-CALLED "GROWN MEN" IN AFRICA,WERE RUNNING AROUND RAPING LIL GIRLS.THEY BELIEVE THAT VIRGINS WOULD CURE THEM.SO SAD AND SO VERY SICK!!!

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Comment by: Anybody (Brooklyn, NY) Tue., Mar. 5, 2013 at 8:01 pm EST
The it can't happen to me I learned the hard way. White, two graduate degrees, in a committed relationship 10 yrs. and wham! HIV+. What was the reaction of my best friend? Don't come around anymore. He was scared he'd catch it if I breathed near him. Not a friend anymore obviously.

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Comment by: Gerald Quick (Albany, NY) Thu., Feb. 21, 2013 at 11:35 pm EST
I've been doing a great deal of advocacy work here in Albany, NY and yes there are still many people who still feel and think that you can get infected by just touching or just doing very simple things. If people were educated the right way then maybe some of the stigma, and real hatred just might go away, many people are so bust trying to have sexual intercourse, when in all reality they don't even know how to edeal with social intercourse, still running around having sex without any type of protection: ITS JUST SAD, WAKE UP PEOPLE, GET EDUCATED, GET TESTED, USE CONDOMS, THE LIFE YOU SAVE JUST MIGHT BE YOUR OWN.

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Comment by: deja (houston, tx) Fri., Jan. 25, 2013 at 12:38 pm EST
I'm glad to see so many educated, informed people spreading the truth and dispelling the myths about HIV/AIDS. Thank you! As a nurse, I have heard many people repeating false information about HIV/AIDS in regards to gender, age, race, and sexual orientation. These are stereotypes, and completely untrue! I think the most DANGEROUS misconception about HIV/AIDS is, "it doesn't happen to people like me." It can happen to ANYONE, and articles like this that put names and faces to the disease really humanizes it. These people could easily my neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family members. Thank you all for making a difference in this community.

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Comment by: deja (houston, tx) Fri., Jan. 25, 2013 at 12:33 pm EST
I'm glad to see so many educated, informed people spreading the truth and dispelling the myths about HIV/AIDS. Thank you! As a nurse, I have heard many people repeating false information about HIV/AIDS in regards to gender, age, race, and sexual orientation. These are stereotypes, and completely untrue! I think the most DANGEROUS misconception about HIV/AIDS is, "it doesn't happen to people like me." It can happen to ANYONE, and articles like this that put names and faces to the disease really humanizes it. These people could easily my neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family members. Thank you all for making a difference in this community.

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