By: Amanda Reseburg

We live in a digital age where information about any topic under the sun is available with the click of a mouse, so it begs the question of why pervasive myths that cropped up in the early 1980s about HIV endure. The staying power of dangerous misinformation about HIV continues to stigmatize those living with the virus and hinder efforts to prevent its spread.

Lisa Barr, Executive Director of Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, Inc., has seen the same old myths crop up again and again, making the organization’s mission even more significant. “We are dedicated to supporting people affected by HIV and AIDS, and we hope to use our resources to combat misinformation to foster a more informed and compassionate society,” says Barr.

Beginning in 1988 as a small support group composed of a few friends who were caring for someone dying from AIDS-related complications, Hope & Help has grown into one of the largest and comprehensive HIV/STI service organizations in Florida. With decades of expertise and knowledge, Barr and her team are focused on dispelling HIV myths once and for all and creating a supportive, loving community through education, resources, and fundraising.

The Myths that Stick

The pervasive myths about HIV can be damaging to at-risk populations and to missions like those of Hope & Help that seek to educate the public and provide resources for testing and treatment. 

One of the pervading myths is that HIV can be contracted through casual contact, such as hugging, shaking hands, or kissing. In the early days of the epidemic, fear-mongering ran rampant through the media and social circles, creating widespread panic around catching the disease from water fountains, sharing space, or even being in the same building as someone with HIV. 

“HIV is transmitted through specific bodily fluids. Most people contract HIV through anal or vaginal sexual contact or by sharing needles or syringes with people who have HIV,” explains Barr. HIV is not airborne, nor can it be “caught” through casual contact with someone who has the virus. 

Another myth that Hope & Help works tirelessly to dispel is the notion that HIV only affects certain groups — namely intravenous drug users or members of the LGBTQIA+ community. “This stereotype marginalizes already vulnerable communities,” says Barr. “It can also cause a false sense of security among people who do not identify with those groups.” Like other myths, this misinformation originated from the early days of the AIDS crisis, where this line of thinking was so standardized that AIDS was initially called GRID — gay-related immune deficiency.

Through large-scale education campaigns, advocacy groups and care providers such as Hope & Help have been able to chip away at this dangerous myth. While rates of HIV infections are higher among the LGBTQIA+ community and intravenous drug-using population, it is by no means confined to those groups. 

Barr and her team are working hard to dispel one of the omnipresent myths about HIV — that it is an automatic death sentence. Since the dawn of the HIV/AIDS crisis, there have been incredible strides made in the treatment of the conditions. Today, people with HIV are living longer, healthier lives by monitoring the virus as a chronic condition rather than a fatal one. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has allowed some to suppress the virus to undetectable levels, meaning they can no longer transmit HIV to others. 

Beating Myths and Helping Heal 

Hope & Help combats each myth with information, education, and resources. Working with at-risk communities, Hope & Help offers a free syringe exchange program called IDEA Orlando, where intravenous drug users can discard used needles and receive new needles for free. In addition, they provide medical care, case management, mental health counseling, and support groups for HIV patients. 

The organization’s chief weapon against HIV misinformation is education. Hope & Help has a widespread campaign detailing the benefits of PrEP, a revolutionary HIV prevention tool that is about 99% effective in preventing HIV through sexual contact. They also offer in-depth information about everything from condom use to how the community can help through their website. 

Through collaborations with healthcare providers and experts in the HIV/AIDS space, Hope & Help is hoping to disseminate clear, accurate information to the communities who need it the most. Media engagement and events also help the organization reach more people with the right information. “Ending HIV is everyone’s responsibility, as is ending the spread of misinformation,” says Barr. 

Hope & Help remains a major player in the fight against stigma, misinformation, and discrimination. The myths that abide not only harm the HIV community but also create roadblocks to public health and information efforts. Hope & Help is using advocacy, education, and support to challenge the prevailing myths and rid the world of them once and for all.

Moving forward, it’s critical to support organizations such as Hope & Help that have been at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS for decades. Debunking myths can be a herculean challenge, but it is one that Barr and her team are taking on in hopes of a future free from harmful HIV misinformation — and a future free of HIV itself.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.