Can you Get Aids From a Dirty Toilet Seat?

Myth #1: AIDS can be contratced from a dirty toilet seat in a public restroom.
Fact: You cannot get HIV virus, or other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), from a toilet seat. So, there is no need to rush home every two hours if you plan to go on a shopping spree!

Myth #2: If I swim in the same pool as someone who has AIDS, I risk contracting the disease too.
Fact: The worst thing that can happen to you after a swim at the public pool is probably getting rashes as a result of the not-so-clean pool water.

Myth #3: I can get HIV through kissing an infected person.
Fact: It's not likely that you will get HIV by kissing an infected person. BUT, the virus can be transmitted if you have an open cut or sore in your mouth (which you can get after brushing or flossing). Although the chance of contracting HIV through kissing is very slim in reality. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Myth #4: The HIV will spread to me if an AIDS patient happens to cough or sneeze in front of me.
Fact: The HIV virus is not airborne, meaning, it does not spread by coughs or sneezes. You can't simply "catch it" like a cold or flu.

Myth #5:I can be infected if an AIDS patient touches me.
Fact: You won't get HIV through everyday contact with infected people at school, work, home or anywhere! The virus cannot be passed on by ordinary physical contact such as touching and holding hands.

Myth #6:I can get AIDS from a mosquito bite.
Fact:When it comes to mosquito bites, you only have to worry about dengue fever. The AIDS virus does not live in mosquitoes, and it is not transmitted through a mosquito's salivary glands like other diseases such as malaria and yellow fever.

Myth #7: I can get AIDS through a blood donation
Fact: It's true that if you receive blood from an infected person, you are very much at risk of contracting AIDS. But you won't get infected by giving blood. The needles used for blood donation are sterile and discarded immediately after one use.

Myth #8: Tattooing and body piercing will not lead to AIDS.
Fact: The risk of HIV transmission exists if instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilised or disinfected properly upon re-use. The good news, however, is that reputed tattooists and body-piercers in Singapore discard the needles after one use.

So, in conclusion... There are four fluids that can carry and transmit HIV: blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. HIV can be transmitted only through contact with these body fluids of an infected person. Stop worrying about the myths you hear. You won't contract HIV from clothes, phones, or toilet seats! Also, things like spoons, cups or other objects used by an infected person do not spread the virus. You should be pretty safe as long as you refrain from having sexual intercourse and sharing of needles or syringes with an infected person.