HIV Myths and Misunderstandings
(See also: AIDS Denialism)
Myths about HIV/AIDS. Web page from thebody.com with links to many fact sheets and articles.
AIDS myths and misunderstandings. Fact sheet from AIDS InfoNet. Also available in Spanish and Russian.
AIDS fraud: How to identify. Fact sheet from Project Inform. Also available in Spanish.
Am I infected?: Common myths about how HIV is spread Fact sheet from aidsmeds.com.
The top ten myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. Fact sheet from webmd.com.
Global AIDS: Myths and Facts. Fact sheet from the American Medical Students Association.
Top 10 myths about AIDS. Fact sheet focusing on youth from youthnoise.com.
HIV transmission: Questions and Answers. Although this CDC fact sheet focuses mostly on how HIV is transmitted, it also includes information about how the virus is NOT transmitted. Also available in Spanish.
Does HIV cause AIDS? Fact sheet from Project Inform.
The origins of HIV and the first cases of AIDS. This fact sheet from avert.org includes information about some common myths about the origin of HIV.
HIV/AIDS at 30: A Public Opinion Perspective. This report from the Kaiser Family Foundation includes information concerning opinions and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS.
Selected Articles
Misleading News Reports Suggest HIV Cure Is Near. Article dated May 9, 2013 from aidsmeds.com.
South African women with AIDS conspiracy beliefs half as likely to use condoms. Article dated May 18, 2011 from aidsmap.com.
HIV Conspiracy Theories Blunt Adherence in African-American Men. Article dated December 9, 2009 from aidsmeds.com.
UK conference discusses ‘disastrous’ impact of the myth of ‘HIV health tourism.’ Article dated October 20, 2008 from aidsmap.com.
Texas jury concludes saliva of HIV-positive man a ‘deadly weapon’, sentenced to 35 yrs jail. Article dated May 16, 2008 from aidsmap.com.
HIV/AIDS misconceptions among Latinos: Findings From a Population-Based Survey of California Adults. Abstract of an article dated April 1, 2008 from Health Education & Human Behavior.
Urban myth deters men in London from seeking sexual health screens. Article dated December 22, 2006 from aidsmap.com.
Conspiracy beliefs about the origin of HIV/AIDS in four racial/ethnic groups. Article dated March 2006 from the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes.
HIV conspiracy theories associated with poorer condom attitude and use amongst African American men. Article dated January 28, 2005 from aidsmap.com.
Study: Many Blacks cite AIDS conspiracy. Article dated January 25, 2005 from the Washington Post.
Survival sex and misconceptions about HAART associated with continued unsafe sex. Article dated January 6, 2004 from aidsmap.com.
