Ten Things To Know About HIV/AIDS

Clearing up the misconceptions on World AIDS Day.

Education Is Power - There are still many misconceptions about the HIV virus. Celebrities such as Magic Johnson have used their status to bring about awareness. It is important to be informed about HIV and AIDS before making assumptions about an individual who lives with the virus. In honor of World AIDS Day, here are ten things to know about HIV.(Credit: Alem Omerovic)
Where Did HIV Come From? - While several conspiracy theories persist about the origins of HIV/ADS, most scholars believe the most accurate theory is that a type of chimpanzee in West Africa passed it on to human hunters. When the chimps were killed and eaten, or the animal blood got into open cuts and wounds, the virus was passed onto humans.The earliest case of HIV recorded was in 1959 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The earliest case in the the United States is in the 1980s.(Photo credit: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)
HIV Is Not the Same as AIDS - It is important to know the difference between HIV and AIDS. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that gradually attacks the body’s immune system, making it harder for it to fight off illnesses. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a syndrome caused by the HIV virus if left untreated. With AIDS, the body is no longer able to fight off diseases and infections, which can ultimately lead to death.(Photo Credit: REUTERS /RUPAK DE CHOWDHURI /LANDOV)HIV Is Not a Straight or Gay Thing - One of the largest misconceptions about the virus is that sexual orientation is a major contributor to having HIV. Anyone is at risk of contracting the virus if they are not taking precautions, regardless of their sexual orientation. (Photo: BigFive Images / Getty Images)

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Education Is Power - There are still many misconceptions about the HIV virus. Celebrities such as Magic Johnson have used their status to bring about awareness. It is important to be informed about HIV and AIDS before making assumptions about an individual who lives with the virus. In honor of World AIDS Day, here are ten things to know about HIV.(Credit: Alem Omerovic)

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