hi guys, here are the myths and reality of HIV and aids. Transmission Myths Many people believed that HIV and AIDS could be transmitted by a mosquito bite, by sharing a drinking glass with someone with AIDS, by being around someone with AIDS who was coughing, by hugging or kissing someone with AIDS, and so on. See Fact Sheet 150 for current information on how HIV is transmitted. Transmission can only occur if someone is exposed to blood, semen, vaginal fluid or mother's milk (see Fact Sheet 611) from an infected person. There is no documentation of transmission from the tears or saliva of an infected person. * Myth: A woman with HIV infection can't have children without infecting them. Reality: Without any treatment, HIV-infected mothers pass HIV to their newborns about 25% of the time. However, with modern treatments, this rate has dropped to only about 2%. See Fact Sheet 611 for more information about HIV and pregnancy. * Myth: HIV is being spread by needles left in theater seats or vending machine coin returns. Reality: There is no documented case of this type of transmission. Myths About a Cure It can be very scary to have HIV infection or AIDS. The course of the disease is not very predictable. Some people get very sick in just a few months. Others live healthy lives for 20 years or more. The treatments can be difficult to take, with serious side effects. Not everyone can afford the medications. It's not surprising that scam artists have come up with several "cures" for AIDS that involve a variety of substances. Unfortunately, none of these "cures" work. See Fact Sheet 206 for more information on frauds related to AIDS. A very unfortunate myth in some parts of the world is that having sex with a virgin will cure AIDS. As a result, many young girls have been exposed to HIV and have developed AIDS. There is no evidence to support this belief. * Myth: Current medications can cure AIDS. It's no big deal if you get infected. Reality: today's medications have c