HIV Is No Longer a Death Sentence—But Doctors Say These Myths Still Put Lives at Risk

HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that can cause AIDS if left untreated, is much less of a transmission risk today than it was 20 years ago, thanks to public awareness about prevention and the genius of modern medicine.

Despite the strides made in medicine and societal perception, HIV myths prevail. According to experts, including Jonathan Applebaum, M.D., past chair of the board of the American Association of HIV Medicine, and Paul C. Adamson, M.D., an infectious disease doctor specializing in HIV and STI care at the UCLA CARE Center in Los Angeles, there were still 32,000 new cases of HIV in the U.S. and about thousands of people still die annually from AIDS.

HIV doesn’t discriminate—anyone of any age, gender, or race can get it.

Just because you or your partner tests positive for HIV doesn’t mean sex is a no-go.

Experts emphasize the importance of staying healthy and aware of the facts. With proper prevention and treatment, HIV is no longer a death sentence.

Author's summary: HIV myths persist despite medical progress.

Prevention — 2025-10-26

HIV Is No Longer a Death Sentence—But Doctors Say These Myths Still Put Lives at Risk

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