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