About 18 per cent of the South African population which includes children, is affected by HIV/Aids.
World Aids Day was celebrated yesterday and throughout the month were people worldwide could unite in the fight against HIV.
Many people will also show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
Wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to show support and solidarity to those who have this virus. do this.
Here are a few myths and facts you need to know about HIV/AIDS:
Myth 1: Your life is over if you have Aids.
Fact: Having the virus does not mean your life is over. Anti-retroviral drugs allow people who are HIV positive to live a longer, normal and productive life.
Myth 2: HIV can be transferred via mosquitoes.
Fact: Several studies show no evidence to support this. When insects bite, they do not inject the blood of the person or animal they have last bitten. Also, HIV lives for only a short time inside an insect.
Myth 3: When both you and your partner have Aids, you do not need to practice safe sex.
Fact: Two sexual partners who are both HIV- positive could have different strains of the virus and they could infect one another with another strain during unprotected sex. This could further weaken their immune systems and might require a change to their treatment as different HIV strains require different drugs.
Myth 4: You can tell if your partner is HIV- positive.
Fact: A person can have the virus and not show symptoms for years. The only way you will know your HIV status is by getting tested.
Myth 5: Male circumcision prevents HIV.
Fact: Male circumcision does not prevent getting infected by HIV; it only decreases the likelihood of infection. Several studies have also shown that male circumcision reduces a man’s risk of contracting this virus by up to 60%.
Here are 10 famous celebrities who have and have died from HIV/Aids:
1. Charlie Sheen
2. Danny Pintauro
3. Magic Johnson
4. Rock Hudson
5. Freddy Mercury
6. Amanda Blake
7.Tom Fogerty
8. Michael Jeter
9. Tony Richardson
10. Anthony Perkins
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