THE STRAIGHT DISEASE
68 PERCENT OF NEW HIV TRANSMISSIONS OCCURRED IN MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIPS
How much do you trust your partner?
The Truth
BUSTING HIV MYTHS. KILLING THE STIGMA.
HIV is still surrounded by dangerous misinformation. Here's what the science actually says.
MYTH
“HIV only affects gay men.”
FACT
HIV affects people of all sexual orientations and genders. Heterosexual transmission accounts for the majority of new HIV cases globally. Anyone who is sexually active or shares needles is at risk.
MYTH
“If my partner looks healthy, they don’t have HIV.”
FACT
HIV has no visible symptoms for years. Many people living with HIV don’t know their status. The only way to know is to get tested — both of you.
MYTH
“You can get HIV from casual contact — hugging, kissing, sharing food.”
FACT
HIV affects people of all sexual orientations and genders. Heterosexual transmission accounts for the majority of new HIV cases globally. Anyone who is sexually active or shares needles is at risk.
MYTH
“HIV is a death sentence.”
FACT
With modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV can have a near-normal life expectancy. Treatment also reduces viral load to undetectable levels — meaning they cannot transmit the virus. Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
MYTH
“Monogamous couples don’t need to worry about HIV.”
FACT
68% of new HIV transmissions occur within monogamous relationships. If neither partner has been recently tested, you don’t actually know your status. Mutual testing is the only way to be certain.
MYTH
“People with HIV are irresponsible or immoral.”
FACT
HIV is a virus — not a moral failing. Stigma is one of the biggest barriers to testing and treatment. Shame kills. Knowledge saves lives. People living with HIV deserve dignity and respect.