Myths

Fact: Not necessarily. People can have HIV without symptoms for years. Even if a person with HIV feels good, the virus can still be reproducing in the body and slowly damaging the immune system.

Fact: Viral load refers to the amount of HIV in the blood. Many HIV-positive guys can achieve an undetectable viral load (<200 copies/ml) by adhering to ART (antiretroviral therapy) over a period at least six months. Evidence has shown that as long as you continue to have your viral load monitored to confirm that you are undetectable, the chance of passing on the virus would be negligible through sex.

Fact: When two HIV-positive guys with different virus subtype, having unsafe sex when viral load is still detectable, there will be a chance their HIV viruses will infect each other, this is called HIV superinfection. The new strain of HIV can replace the original strain or they may mix and produce a new mutant. For some people, superinfection may cause them to get sick faster because they become infected with a new strain of the virus that is resistant to the medicines they are currently taking to treat their original HIV infection.

Evidence has shown that many HIV-positive guys can achieve an undetectable viral load (<200 copies/ml) by having good adherence to ART (antiretroviral therapy). If both of you continue to have your viral loads regularly monitored to confirm that the HIV levels are undetectable for at least six months, the chance of passing on the virus would be negligible through sex.

However, even if the viral loads of both guys are undetectable, if anyone of them have unsafe sex (does not use condom) , they could still get STIs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B and C.

Fact: Although the risk of transmitting HIV by blow jobs is far lower than that through penetration, it's possible you become infected through giving blow jobs or getting fellatio or rimmed. The risk is higher through giving blow jobs with the sex partners cumming in your mouth, followed in order by rimming the sex partners' assholes, giving blow jobs without the sex partners cumming, and simply being blown and rimmed. The factors that cause a rise in the risk of HIV transmission include a high viral load, presence of mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and of other STIs.

Fact: While it's true that a blow job is much less risky than an anal, it's still necessary to use a condom or a dental dam (a square piece of latex that you would hold against your partner's anus while rimming). Also, other STIs such as gonorrhea and syphilis can be spread through orals. So protect yourself and your partner by using a condom or a dental dam.

Fact: Infected blood from inside a person's nose can be passed on to another person through shared straws or other drug-snorting equipment to transmit blood borne disease like HIV and especially hepatitis C. So don't share any equipment and better still, don't do drugs.

Fact: Actually, it can be a big deal. If you’ve got HIV, getting another infection, such as syphilis or hepatitis C, can boost your HIV viral load and may speed up the progression of your HIV infection. Your viral load can go up even if you're taking medicines for HIV (antiretroviral drugs).

Fact: Although antiretroviral drugs are improving and extending the lives of many people living with HIV, they can still have higher chance of getting chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus and HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) despite well control of HIV virus. Therefore a healthy life style is important.

Fact: Unfortunately, we do not have a vaccine for HIV. The virus has unique ways of evading the immune system, and the human body seems incapable of mounting an effective immune response against it. As a result, scientists have not yet been able to manufacture an effective vaccine for HIV.

Fact: You may think that your partner has been faithful to you, and will not spread the virus. But what if your partner doesn't know that he already has HIV? A person can be HIV positive for years without symptoms. Besides, how sure are you about your partner's sexual history? Also, HIV can be transmitted through non-sexual activities, such as blood transfusions and sharing of injection needles, regardless of whether he or she has remained faithful. To be safe, always use a condom during sex, and get your partner and yourself regularly tested for HIV.

Fact: It's important to get tested because some people with undiagnosed HIV can look and feel healthy for years, but the infection will slowly damage their health. They can also pass the infection on to others.

Fact: With the use of HAART and more new drugs with fewer side effects, most people living with HIV can lead healthy and productive life. The treatment helps keep your body strong and healthy by helping you fight off life-threatening infections and preventing HIV from progressing to AIDS.