From the media and public opinion to state policies, there are prejudices and a lack of understanding about HIV and its connection to young people. These statements, through constant repetition, take root and become perceived as truths that are not actually truths. Researcher Grisel Adissi, a specialist on the subject, lists the most common myths and debunks them one by one. By Grisel Adissi* Photo: Courtesy of Rajap (Argentine Network of Young People and Adolescents Living with HIV) 1- “ Young people contract HIV . ” FALSE (for young people, and for everyone else) . HIV is a transmissible infection, meaning that bodily fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, blood, breast milk) must be present, and it is only transmitted under certain circumstances. To say that it is a contagious disease is equivalent to perpetuating stereotypes about avoiding physical contact and/or sharing objects with people who have HIV. It is possible to live with HIV for life without major problems, like any other chronic condition, thanks to available medication. Only under certain specific conditions can this virus cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

2- “ Young people are starting their sexual relationships earlier and earlier .” FALSE

Various quantitative studies indicate that the age of sexual initiation is getting later. The increasing emphasis on subjectivity and intimacy in sexual relationships is contributing to this trend. One only needs to look at historical data regarding the ages at which people married or had children in past generations: many would be quite surprised by the results.

3- “ Young people rarely use condoms .” FALSE

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Young people are the age group that uses condoms the most. For them, condoms are a common and familiar object, unlike for older generations. The fact that they aren't always used is another matter and is not related to age.

4- “ Infections in young people are increasing . FALSE

HIV testing campaigns are working to ensure everyone knows their HIV status. An increase in diagnoses can be good news: young people are generally the group with the fewest late diagnoses.

5- “ Young people are no longer afraid of HIV because they trust antiretroviral medication .” FALSE

Our latest research shows that, in general, the existence of this medication is unknown, as are its specific characteristics and the universal right to its coverage. This is a problem, but a completely different one.

6- “ Young people know that HIV doesn't kill like it used to .” FALSE

Most young people still associate HIV with AIDS, and this is indeed one of the areas where work needs to be done to reduce stigma and discrimination.

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7- “ Young people don't use condoms out of laziness .” FALSE

Young people don't use condoms for several reasons. Many of these reasons aren't exclusively related to youth but stem, for example, from the type of campaigns that have been running for decades, based solely on fear, when consensual sex, by definition, implies relaxation and trust. It also has to do with the lack of availability of condoms in places and at times conducive to having sex (especially for young people, who often don't have a quiet space for it). And it also relates to situations of inequality, coercion, and violence.

8- “ Young people contract HIV because they are promiscuous .” FALSE

Promiscuity (whatever that word may be defined by) has nothing to do with HIV. HIV is contracted sexually by not using condoms, regardless of the type and number of sexual partners. Furthermore, not only are young people the age group that uses condoms the most, but some of them are born with the virus.

9- “ Young people with HIV are not interested in taking care of themselves because they are already infected .” FALSE .

Young people with HIV are probably the most cautious in their sexual relationships because they tend to feel they couldn't bear the responsibility of transmitting the virus to another person. In fact, it's common for them to find it difficult to resume sexual relations after diagnosis.

10- “ Young people and their behavior are responsible for the continued HIV epidemic .” FALSE . Absolutely false .

With all the means available to make HIV cease to be a problem (educational technologies for comprehensive sex education and a law declaring it a right; condoms for prevention; reagents for testing; medications to stabilize it and to prevent transmission during pregnancy), the fact that this does not happen depends entirely on the adults who are in a position to define how and where to distribute those resources. *Licensed and Professor in Sociology, Master's in Social Research, PhD in Social Sciences (UBA). She has worked as a Social Science Researcher in different areas of the Ministry of Health of the Nation; from the Directorate of AIDS and STDs she has coordinated the research "Young People with a Recent HIV Diagnosis in the AMBA", soon to be published in print; currently she is part of the Directorate of Health Research of the same Ministry.

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