1. HIV & AIDS are not the same thing. HIV, which stands for “human immunodefiency virus”, is the virus that breaks down the immune system. AIDS, which stands for “acquired immune deficiency system” is the most advanced stage of HIV whereby the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope.
2. HIV/AIDS can be transmitted through infected bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, blood, breast milk and rectal secretions.
3. HIV/AIDS can be spread through having sex without a condom.
4. HIV /AIDS can be spread through sharing infected needles.
5. HIV/AIDS is not spread through skin contact such as hugging.
6. HIV/AIDS cannot be spread through kissing.
7. HIV/AIDS cannot be passed on through sharing utensils such as forks, spoons or plates.
8. HIV/AIDS is not an airborne disease.
9. Mosquitoes do not spread HIV/AIDS.
10. HIV/AIDS does not discriminate sexuality.
11. A person with HIV may not show symptoms for up to 10 years or more, and still can infect others.
12. With treatment, People living with HIV/AIDS are capable of living long and productive lives.
13. HIV/AIDS can be tested at most government and private clinics using a rapid test kit.
14. A HIV/AIDS test result can be revealed within 15-20 minutes.
15. PT Foundation’s Community Healthcare Center (CHCC) provides anonymous screening for HIV/AIDS as well as syphilis.
16. Younger people are more at risk of getting HIV. In Malaysia, 7 out of 10 persons diagnosed with HIV in 2013 are below 40 years of age.
17. Sex is the main cause of HIV. In Malaysia, 7 out of 10 new HIV infections are contracted through sex.
18. HIV among women is increasing. In Malaysia, in 2013, only 1 in 10 HIV cases were women; in 2013, 1 in 5 cases are women.
19. HIV is not a death sentence; with treatment, people living with HIV can live normal, healthy lives.
20. There is no cure for HIV but there is treatment, provided it is diagnosed early.
21. You cannot tell if you have HIV; only by taking the HIV Test will you know your status.
22. 10,000 women were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS as of December 2013 in Malaysia.
23. Every sexually active Malaysian should take a HIV Test once a year.
24. A person can be infected with HIV/AIDS if a condom is not used, even though birth control methods such as pills or the diaphragm, are used.
25. You can get HIV/AIDS by having oral sex, but the risk is a lot lower than vaginal or anal sex.
26. A person can have more than one STD at a time.
27. It is possible to get HIV from tattoo or body piercing tools that are not properly sterilized.
28. Infected mothers can sharply lower the risk of passing HIV to their children if they are treated in the early stages of pregnancy.
29. It is possible for women to transmit HIV to men; it is not about who you are, but what you do!
30. Every day almost 10 Malaysians are infected with HIV.
31. 7 out of 10 Malaysians who were infected with HIV in 2013, contracted it through sex.
32. A person does not necessarily need to have multiple sexual partners in order to contract a STI or HIV.
33. HIV is treatable - there are over 20 anti-HIV drugs available worldwide.
34. A person who has been on treatment for HIV/AIDS for a year, is less likely to infect another person, than a person whose HIV status is not known.
35. A HIV positive person in a relationship, can still have sex with the partner, so long as a condom is used every time.
36. You cannot get HIV from a fish pedicure, but you can get other skin infections!
37. HIV cannot be passed on through fingering or hand jobs.
38. There is no HIV risk through spitting.
39. Male circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV transmission to the circumcised male during heterosexual sex.
40. HIV/AIDS can be transmitted through both anal and vaginal sex.
41. Injected drug users (IDUs) who share needles face a very high risk of contracting HIV.
42. You can get a HIV Test without revealing your name and IC number. Contact PT Foundation!
43. If you have any questions about sex, gender and sexuality, you can call PT Foundation!
44. If you are concerned about getting HIV, get the facts from PT Foundation!
45. If you would like to know about how to protect yourself from HIV, call PT Foundation!
46. People living with HIV need your support, stop judging them!
47. People living with HIV can contact PT Foundation for support and care.
48. It doesn’t matter if you are straight or gay; if you must have sex, always use a condom for protection.
49. If you drink, don’t have sex. If you are high on drugs, don’t have sex.
50. The “withdrawal” method does not work – use the condom from start to finish.
