by Larry Bray--HIV Outreach Specialist
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW)
Larry Bray has been an HIV outreach specialist with the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin for more than 14 years. He reaches out and meets with African American men, women and teens in neighborhoods throughout Milwaukee providing them with the facts on HIV, how to be safe from HIV and offering HIV counseling and testing for people who are at risk for HIV infection.

Throughout his many years of experience in the fight against AIDS, Larry has met many people who have misinformation about HIV usually because of myths about HIV that aren’t true. As an expert on HIV issues, Larry was asked to identify the five most common myths about HIV and to provide the facts.

Myth #1: You can get HIV infection from insects or from casual contact such as shaking hands with a person who has AIDS.

The Facts: This is a myth about AIDS that simply is not true. HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact with an HIV infected person or through the sharing of needles with an HIV infected drug user during injection drug use.

HIV is transmitted when HIV infected blood comes in contact with blood, or when HIV infected sexual fluids come in contact with blood. There is no scientific evidence that HIV is spread through the air, water, insects or casual contact.

Myth #2: HIV and AIDS are the same thing.

The Facts: HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. HIV is the virus that infects the body, attacks the immune system and weakens our natural protections against illness and disease.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. People who have been infected with HIV and who do not receive medical care will ultimately develop AIDS.

AIDS is the condition that occurs once the immune system of a person who is infected with HIV wears down and is no longer able to fight off infections like the flu, colds or pneumonia. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

People who have a diagnosis of AIDS have such a weakened immune system that they are often unable to fight off major diseases.

Myth #3: HIV only affects gay white men.

The Facts: HIV does not discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life--Black, White, straight, gay, male and female. Thirty-eight percent of the people living with HIV in Wisconsin are African American.

In fact, African American women were thirteen times more likely to be infected with HIV than were White women in Wisconsin last year.

While racial and ethnic minorities represent about 12% of Wisconsin's population, they were 49% of new HIV cases in the state last year.

Over the past several years in Milwaukee, there have been increases in the number of heterosexual African American men and women who have become infected with HIV.

Myth #4: Only rich people can be healthy and survive with HIV.

The Facts: Two things can keep people who have HIV healthy for a long time: quality medical care and HIV medications.

Fortunately, here in Milwaukee, the ARCW Medical Center provides all HIV patients the medical care they need, no matter what their ability to pay is.

If you don't have any health care coverage, the physicians and nurses at the ARCW Medical Center will provide you with the medical treatment and the medications you need.

In addition to medical care, ARCW provides dental care, mental health therapy, housing assistance, legal services and food pantries to help you.

Milwaukee Health Services also provides HIV care and treatment whether or not you have health care coverage.

So, whether you are rich or poor, you can get the medical care, medications and support you need to have a chance for a long and healthy life.

Myth #5: Being on the "DL" will keep women safe from contracting HIV.

The Facts: The sexual secrecy of being on the down-low may protect a man’s privacy but it won't protect women from HIV.

It’s very important to know the sex and drug use history and HIV status of anyone you have sex with.

The best way to prevent HIV infection is to use a condom every time you have sex, especially with someone whose history you don’t know.

Being in a long-term relationship isn’t necessarily a reliable protection from HIV. In the final analysis, everyone should take personal responsibility for protecting themselves from HIV.

Talk to your sex partner about sex and drug use and use a condom to be sure that you are safe.

It's also important to get tested for HIV especially if you have ever used drugs, had unprotected sex or are concerned about your HIV status.

If you are HIV positive and know your status, you can then get the health care you need to live a longer and healthier life. You can schedule your free, anonymous HIV test by calling the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin at 273-1991.