Who started that myth?
I’ve always been on the big side, even before I was diagnosed. In fact, I eventually had to make a conscious decision to lose weight—not because of HIV, but because I wanted to be healthier. Today, I practice intermittent fasting, I exercise regularly, and the weight is gradually coming off. It’s working because of the lifestyle changes I’m making, not because of my HIV status.
This is why we need to stop judging people’s health by their appearance.
Another common myth I keep hearing is that pink patches on the lips are a sign that someone is HIV positive. Honestly, where do these stories come from?
I don’t have pink patches on my lips. And during one of my routine clinic visits, I couldn’t help but notice the lips of other people waiting for their appointments. Guess what? I didn’t see this so‑called “HIV lip” that social media keeps talking about.
The truth is, many people who are HIV‑negative have naturally pink or patchy lips for completely unrelated reasons. Lip color can be influenced by genetics, skin tone, sun exposure, dryness, smoking, previous inflammation, or harmless pigmentation changes. It is not a reliable way to tell whether someone has HIV.
Unfortunately, misinformation spreads much faster than facts. Someone reads one misleading post online, believes it, and suddenly starts looking at everyone’s body, lips, weight, or skin, trying to guess who has HIV. Imagine how much unnecessary fear, stigma, and judgment that creates.
The reality is that you cannot tell whether someone has HIV simply by looking at them.
Some people living with HIV are slim. Others are overweight. Some are athletic. Some have flawless skin. Others have skin conditions that have nothing to do with HIV. They are ordinary people living ordinary lives.
The only way to know your HIV status is through testing—not by examining someone’s body or searching for imaginary “signs.”
Let’s stop spreading myths and start sharing facts. Every piece of misinformation fuels stigma, and stigma discourages people from getting tested or seeking treatment.
If we truly want to fight HIV, we must fight ignorance too.
Knowledge saves lives. Assumptions don’t.
Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI was informed.
Well done, keep enlighten us in this space.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteKnowledge is power. Knowledge saves lives. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreetings to you .
Ignorance is a disease.
ReplyDeleteSomeone I know has hiv and he has this discoloration of lips, I think its related to hiv but I'm not saying all hiv positive has it but most of them do
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this,being someone living with hiv I’ve had to end relationships that was based solely on sex because they just wouldn’t listen that you may look very good ,flawless skin and still be positive,they always insist I’m okay there’s no need for protection.
ReplyDelete