That Ain’t True!

by Kellee Terrell

Real Health busts some dangerous myths about HIV

MYTH 1: The meds kill you, not the virus
While many believe that AZT, also known as zidovudine (Retrovir), killed people in the early days of the epidemic, it’s not true. There were some legitimate questions about the way HIV medications were used in the early years of the epidemic—but we now know how to minimize side effects and maximize effectiveness. Tons of research show that not only can HIV treatment prolong one’s life, it can also enhance quality of life.

MYTH 2: The only lifestyle change I need is to adhere to HIV meds
Remember, meds can extend your life, but focusing on your whole health is key to living well. The healthier you are in general, the better able your body will be to fight HIV and the side effects of its treatment. “I encourage my patients to eat better and to exercise regularly to reduce the risk of diabetes and other diseases,” Smith says.

MYTH 3: There’s a cure for HIV, they just don’t want us to have it
Thanks to the 1932–72 Tuskegee study, during which government doctors allowed syphilis to go untreated in black men to learn about its progression, many of us have a distrust of the medical community. Fact is, there is currently no cure for HIV—but HIV is treatable.

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