HIV =愛滋病 ?
Can people with HIV have sex? Debunking the myths about the HIV virus

2024-09-09

You’ve definitely heard of the HIV virus, but how much do you really know? The HIV virus is not as terrifying as you might imagine, people infected with HIV can still lead a quality life! Take care of your sexual health—read the full article to learn more.

🗨️ Myth 1: HIV is the same as AIDS?

 HIV ≠ 愛滋病

• Individuals infected with the HIV virus are referred to as 'HIV-infected individuals'
• HIV-infected individuals + AIDS-defining illnesses* = AIDS patients

愛滋病的學名是「後天免疫力缺乏症」 (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome，簡稱 AIDS ) 。愛滋病是由愛滋病病毒（人類免疫力缺乏病毒）(Human Immunodeficiency Virus，簡稱 HIV ) 所引致。

Without treatment, about half of HIV infected people will progress to AIDS within 10 years. On the contrary, HIV treatment prevent AIDS and significantly prolongs life expectancy. Not everyone who has HIV experiences this stage.

*當愛滋病病毒感染者因免疫能力受破壞而引發的併發症，包括機會性感染和腫瘤

🗨️ Myth 2: HIV is the same as HPV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) ≠ HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

HIV and HPV are two distinct viruses with different characteristics, modes of transmission, and health implications.

🗨️ 迷思三：我啱啱同個新SP開心完，但我有D擔心， 咁我幾時可做HIV測試？

The HIV testing time must be after the "window period" - is the period between the moment a person get infected with HIV and that when the HIV test shows a positive result. The 4the generation HIV Antigen/Antibody Test can detect positive results as early as 2 weeks after contact that may have led to infection.

The only way to determine a person’s HIV status is to have an HIV test. Therefore, people who have ever had unsafe sex to have an HIV test immediately after the Window Period. Getting tested for HIV and knowing your status is good for both you and your partner.

🗨️ 迷思四：我啱啱做完HIV測試，幾耐先要再做測試？

如你的測試結果為陰性， 建議在發生性行為90日後再次接受測試覆核結果。若你出現HIV徵狀或徵狀變得嚴重，請立即求醫。假如在空窗期內檢測結果呈陰性，仍不能排除在之前三個月內進行的風險行為可能會導致愛滋病病毒感染。如有疑慮，應重複檢驗或諮詢醫生。

It is recommended that sexually active individuals get tested for HIV every three months.

If your test result is positive, please contact and consult with your healthcare provider.

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🗨️ 迷思五： 我個partner中左愛滋病病毒， 我地仲可唔可以有sex？

Yes, in recent years, antiretroviral therapy has been proven to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV, and its effectiveness is significant. If an infected person undergoes antiretroviral treatment and can continuously suppress the virus to an undetectable level (Undetectable=Untransmittable/U=U), they will not transmit HIV through sexual contact.

🗨️ 迷思六： 感染HIV等於得絕症？

HIV ≠ 絕症

Currently, there is no method to completely cure HIV, but there are very effective treatments available that can suppress viral replication, achieving undetectable = untransmittable (U=U). Through early testing, diagnosis, and effective treatment, HIV-infected individuals can lead healthy and high-quality lives. As incidence and mortality rates decline, the treatment and care of HIV-infected individuals are similar to managing other chronic illnesses.