Even though it has been decades since HIV / AIDS entered the public domain, certain myths and misconceptions continue to endure, a ministry leader contends.

“Some are shunned by their families, by their church,” Laura McCulty Stepp, the Ursuline Sisters HIV / AIDS Ministry’s support services coordinator and quality improvement director, said.

Many of those living with HIV also continue to face discrimination, as well as stigmatization, including the false belief that only certain groups of people can get the virus, that it can be contracted via casual contact and that some deserve such a fate because of choices they made, Stepp noted. Also, those of all backgrounds and socioeconomic groups can have it, she explained.

“It affects people living on disability to people making six figures,” Stepp said, adding, “If you get into care, you can live a long, healthy life.”

Discrimination can include facing job losses, being denied housing or having a negative encounter with law enforcement. Stepp cited Ohio’s nondisclosure law, which, in part, states that those with HIV can face felony charges for failing to disclose their status to sexual partners.

Neither the intent to transmit HIV nor HIV transmission is a defense against prosecution, according to the Center for HIV Law and Policy.

Also, Ohio’s felonious assault statute remains, despite several constitutional challenges.

For example, in the recent State v. Bautista case, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the statute does not violate Equal Protection clauses or the right to free speech, according to the center.

Early testing and treatment are paramount to long-term health.

On average, a person who is HIV positive at age 20 and receives proper medical treatment has a life expectancy of 73; by contrast, a 20-year-old who fails to do so has a life expectancy of about 32, Stepp noted.

Unsafe and unprotected sex is the No. 1 way to get the virus, followed by IV drug use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those who receive testing for HIV — all of which is done confidentially — stand a much smaller chance of developing AIDS, which “leaves you vulnerable to die of something else,” such as pneumonia, Stepp said. She also noted that one can’t get HIV from blood transfusions because of today’s more accurate testing methods.

Locally, testing is available at one’s doctor’s office or the Youngstown Health Department, Stepp said.

One of the risk factors for being HIV positive is viral load, which describes the amount of HIV in the blood of a person with the virus. The higher the load, the more likely HIV can be transmitted, with the highest load typically during the acute stage of HIV or without treatment, according to the CDC’s HIV page.

In addition, transmission can be perinatal, meaning that HIV can pass to a baby during pregnancy, as well as during childbirth or breastfeeding. Perinatal transmission is the most common way children get HIV, the CDC information page shows.

According to the CDC’s Medical Monitoring Project, an estimated eight of 10 people living with the virus also report experiencing internalized HIV-related stigma, which encapsulates negative feelings or thoughts associated with their status. These can include shame, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, a desire to hide their status and difficulty telling others. About 33% of those who are HIV positive have reported feeling guilty and ashamed, according to the project.

One way to help those living with HIV is to use more sensitive language. For example, it’s important to say the person was diagnosed with or acquired HIV, as opposed to having caught it, or using the preferred phrase “a person with HIV” vs. the terms “victim,” “HIVer,” “a positive,” “sufferer,” “contaminated” or sick,” the Medical Monitoring Project states.

Other helpful techniques include listening nonjudgmentally to a person who’s HIV positive, educating oneself and teaching others the facts about the virus, advocating for those living with HIV and getting tested and treated if necessary, the Ursuline Sisters HIV / AIDS Ministry states.

Stepp said she hopes those who are HIV positive will get the proper treatment, and for others not to be afraid to be in contact with them.

“I want people to get tested and into care if they’re positive, and to know that they can have a long, prosperous life,” she said.

Also, Sunday was World AIDS Day. The Ursuline Sisters will host an event in honor of the occasion, titled “Celebrating Positive Lives: Sustaining and Accelerating Progress,” set for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road in Canfield.

For more information about HIV, go to www.cdc.gov/hiv/causes, call 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) or the Ursuline Sisters ministry at 330-942-0221.

Basic facts about HIV:

• The virus is not curable, but is treatable.

• It cannot be transmitted through casual contact.

• HIV lacks any certain “look” or category: People of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds can be affected.

• Early detection and treatment are critical.

• With appropriate medical care, those living with HIV can enjoy long, productive and healthy lives.

• Because of today’s medical advances, most people with the virus who are receiving such care will never develop AIDS.

Many of those who are HIV positive still face prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization because of certain myths and pieces of misinformation that persist.

SOURCE: Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry