Straight talk about AIDS

Straight talk about AIDS

From Media Indonesia

With information about HIV/AIDS continuing to develop, it would certainly be naive of some people if they did not rid themselves of the myths about the virus and the ensuing syndrome.

That was my impression from reading an article in the March 24 edition of Media Indonesia featuring AIDS "Queen" Nurul Arifin. She said, "I am close to AIDS but I have not been infected. I am lucky, I remain faithful to (my husband) Mayong". Mentioned are a number of things not directly related to HIV/AIDS, i.e. slenderness, closeness to AIDS and people.

If Nurul's statement is heard by laymen or people enveloping themselves with morals, it will highly influence the efforts to step up awareness to protect themselves in order not to be infected with HIV.

Some people feel safe if they are distant from AIDS, but infection may occur through transfusions of blood not screened for HIV or through the use of dirty syringes.

Her statement implies that unfaithfulness leads to contracting HIV. The truth is that even if one is faithful, if one's spouse is already infected with HIV there will be infection if no preventive measures are taken.

It is time for us, and the media in particular, to think clearly and discuss the HIV/AIDS problem objectively and realistically without moral impediments. As long as reports on HIV/AIDS remain shrouded by moral values, the message to be conveyed will not be objective. This in turn will not encourage people to be concerned about active endeavors of prevention.

SYAIFUL W. HARAHAP

E-mail:sw-harahap@mailcity.com