The evidence shows that HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, or saliva.

You cannot catch HIV by:

• Breathing the same air as someone who is HIV-positive
• Touching a toilet seat or doorknob handle after an HIV-positive person
• Drinking from a water fountain
• Hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with someone who is HIV-positive
• Sharing eating utensils with an HIV-positive person
• Using exercise equipment at a gym

HIV can ONLY be transmitted by the exchange of the following fluids:

• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal Fluids
• Breast milk

Most people are exposed to HIV through unprotected sex or sharing needles.

This is the biggest myth of all. In fact people are living with HIV and AIDS longer today than ever before. Medications, treatment programs, and a better understanding of HIV and AIDS allows those infected to live normal, healthy, productive lives.

While many make claims of miraculous cures, the sad truth is there is no cure for HIV and AIDS. Be careful of claims or cures and miracles. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. However, HIV can be successfully managed, with careful medical care and treatment.

The fact is, experts believe that given the complexities of HIV and AIDS care, only HIV specialists should manage your care. Be sure to choose a doctor who cares for HIV and AIDS patients regularly.

Again, untrue and a very dangerous myth. Condoms must be used each and every sexual encounter; vaginal, anal and oral. HIV and other STDs can be transmitted from one person to another anytime there is exposure to one of the four fluids — blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.

This used to be true but not anymore. Women living with HIV and AIDS can and do have families. While certain steps and precautions have to be taken, women can now have the families they always dreamed about. Your doctor is the best person to talk to about HIV and pregnancy.

Don't bet on it. In fact, people over 50 make up a rapidly growing segment of the HIV and AIDS population.

Not true. Experts are seeing more an more incidences of re-infection, making HIV and AIDS treatment even more difficult.

In fact, HIV and AIDS can infect anyone. Babies, women, seniors over 50, teens, blacks, whites and Hispanics. At risk behavior can lead to infection in anyone.

In fact this couldn't be further from the truth. HIV is a virus and AIDS is a collection of illnesses. Knowing the difference between the two is a very important part of understanding both. Simply put HIV and AIDS are not the same thing.