Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Condoms provide “dual protection.” They prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of
getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections.
You can get HIV by eating food prepared by a person who has the infection.
(FALSE)
HIV/AIDS is not spread this way. (See previous answer.)
The virus that causes AIDS is also spread by insect bites. (FALSE)
HIV/AIDS is not spread this way. (See previous answer.)
You can get HIV/AIDS if an infected person coughs or sneezes on you. (FALSE)
HIV/AIDS is not spread this way. (See previous answer.)
A person can get HIV by using dirty injection needles, other needles, or razors,
(TRUE)
Blood with HIV in it may be left on the needle or razor, and passed on to the next user.
You can usually tell if a person has HIV by looking at him/her. (FALSE)
A person with HIV may look and feel healthy for a very long time. However, even if an
infected person appears healthy, he or she can still pass the HIV infection to others
through unprotected sex or by sharing dirty needles or syringes. Many people with HIV
do not even know they are infected.
A person who looks and feels healthy can be carrying the HIV virus and still infect
others. (TRUE)
Many people with HIV do not even know they have this infection. (See previous answer.)
A blood test can determine whether you have HIV. (TRUE)
A simple blood test can determine whether a person is infected with HIV. The test looks
for HIV antibodies. If there are HIV antibodies in the blood, the person is HIV positive.
However, once a person is infected with HIV it can take up to 6 months for the HIV
antibodies to appear in the blood. This means an infected person can spread HIV to others
even before the test shows that the person is HIV positive (having an HIV negative
result).
HIV can be cured if diagnosed early. (FALSE)
There is presently no cure for HIV/AIDS. Some people with HIV get sick and die sooner
than others. Some people have lived with the infection for more than 10 years. Although
HIV/AIDS cannot be cured at this time, it can be prevented. To prevent HIV/AIDS
follow the safer sex practices described in previous answers.
Anyone can get AIDS if they are exposed to the blood, vaginal fluid, or semen of an
infected person (TRUE)
(See previous answers.)
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 10: STIs