Health and Me

Itisha Arya

World AIDS Day 2025: Experts Explain Which HIV “Facts” Are Actually Myths

world aids day myths

World AIDS Day is marked across the globe every year on 1 December to draw attention to HIV and AIDS. In India, the day is observed through awareness drives and community-level programmes held nationwide. The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), which functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, leads these efforts and brings people together to support the ongoing battle against the illness.

This year, the government reported a strong decline in HIV cases, noting 49 per cent fewer new infections since 2010, an 81 per cent fall in deaths linked to AIDS, and a 75 per cent drop in mother-to-child transmission between 2010 and 2024. 

The update, shared on Sunday for World AIDS Day 2025, also underlines how myths continue to harm people living with HIV. Misconceptions remain widespread, including the belief that the virus spreads through simple physical contact.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) harms the body by attacking helper T-cells, which are vital for immunity. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) develops when these cells fall to very low levels, leaving the body exposed to infections and diseases, as described by the Mayo Clinic.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Common HIV Myths</span> That You Should Know About</h2>There are many myths surrounding HIV/AIDS that people continue to believe, though experts have clarified the truth behind them:

<ul><li>It is a myth that HIV spreads through coughing, touching or shaking hands. Routine contact or a cough does not transmit the virus. Transmission can occur only when the skin has open sores or breaks that allow the virus to enter.</li><li>It is a myth that a person diagnosed with HIV will survive only a short time. With proper treatment that keeps the virus suppressed, people with HIV can live for many years.</li><li>It is a myth that every child born to an HIV-positive mother will also have HIV. With antiretroviral therapy, a planned C-section and other precautions, the chance of passing the virus to the baby can be reduced to below 2 per cent.</li><li>It is a myth that HIV, being a viral infection, cannot be linked to the use of antibacterial or antifungal medicines. Since HIV weakens immunity, those living with it may be prone to common bacterial and fungal infections and may need such medicines for long periods.</li><li>It is a myth that there is no risk when two or more HIV-positive partners are intimate. Unprotected sex can still allow tougher or drug-resistant strains of the virus to evolve and spread.</li><li>It is a myth that people who do not show symptoms cannot have HIV. It can take years for signs to appear, and the only way to confirm the infection is through testing.</li><li>It is a myth that taking medicines before intercourse can fully prevent HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis lowers the risk but does not remove it entirely.</li></ul>

World AIDS Day, observed each year on December 1, is a time to pause, acknowledge and renew our commitment. It pays respect to those who lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, offers support to people living with HIV and reminds the world that prevention, treatment and rights-based care remain essential. The theme for 2025, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response”, urges countries to build stronger systems, widen access to services and uphold the dignity of all communities affected by HIV.

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World AIDS Day is marked across the globe every year on 1 December to draw attention to HIV and AIDS. In India, the day is observed through awareness drives and community-level programmes held nationwide. The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), which functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, leads these efforts and brings people together to support the ongoing battle against the illness.This year, the government reported a strong decline in HIV cases, noting 49 per cent fewer new infections since 2010, an 81 per cent fall in deaths linked to AIDS, and a 75 per cent drop in mother-to-child transmission between 2010 and 2024. The update, shared on Sunday for World AIDS Day 2025, also underlines how myths continue to harm people living with HIV. Misconceptions remain widespread, including the belief that the virus spreads through simple physical contact.What is HIV/AIDS?The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) harms the body by attacking helper T-cells, which are vital for immunity. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) develops when these cells fall to very low levels, leaving the body exposed to infections and diseases, as described by the Mayo Clinic.Common HIV Myths That You Should Know AboutThere are many myths surrounding HIV/AIDS that people continue to believe, though experts have clarified the truth behind them:It is a myth that HIV spreads through coughing, touching or shaking hands. Routine contact or a cough does not transmit the virus. Transmission can occur only when the skin has open sores or breaks that allow the virus to enter.It is a myth that a person diagnosed with HIV will survive only a short time. With proper treatment that keeps the virus suppressed, people with HIV can live for many years.It is a myth that every child born to an HIV-positive mother will also have HIV. With antiretroviral therapy, a planned C-section and other precautions, the chance of passing the virus to the baby can be reduced to below 2 per cent.It is a myth that HIV, being a viral infection, cannot be linked to the use of antibacterial or antifungal medicines. Since HIV weakens immunity, those living with it may be prone to common bacterial and fungal infections and may need such medicines for long periods.It is a myth that there is no risk when two or more HIV-positive partners are intimate. Unprotected sex can still allow tougher or drug-resistant strains of the virus to evolve and spread.It is a myth that people who do not show symptoms cannot have HIV. It can take years for signs to appear, and the only way to confirm the infection is through testing.It is a myth that taking medicines before intercourse can fully prevent HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis lowers the risk but does not remove it entirely.World AIDS Day, observed each year on December 1, is a time to pause, acknowledge and renew our commitment. It pays respect to those who lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, offers support to people living with HIV and reminds the world that prevention, treatment and rights-based care remain essential. The theme for 2025, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response”, urges countries to build stronger systems, widen access to services and uphold the dignity of all communities affected by HIV.