On June 5, 1981, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published a report of five cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia among five previously healthy young men in the Los Angeles area. Each of the men was described as homosexual, and two had already passed away. Shortly after its publication, that report led to a response and research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Within 18 months, that research led to the definition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Despite having been defined nearly 30 years ago, HIV/AIDS remains a mystery to many even today. Much of that mystery is thanks to fears and misinformation surrounding the disease's initial appearance in the early 1980s. In spite of advancements with respect to research and education since 1981, there are still some common misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the following are some of the more common misconceptions still surrounding HIV/AIDS.

- Blood transfusions or donating blood cause HIV/AIDS. While this might once have been probable, today the risk of getting HIV from receiving blood is extremely small. When blood is donated, that blood then goes through extensive testing to ensure it is safe. In addition, blood donors must undergo screening before being allowed to donate.

Blood donors are also safe from the risks of getting HIV/AIDS when donating blood. That's because blood banks that accept blood use only sterile, disposable needles to draw blood, ensuring both the donor and the potential recipient the utmost safety.

- HIV can be spread through casual contact with infected persons. This was one of the more common fears throughout the 1980s, when the disease remained a mystery even to many in the medical profession. However, this fear is unfounded, as HIV is not spread through casual contact such as hugging, holding hands, casual kissing, or sharing silverware. Simply being around someone with HIV is not a risk of getting the disease yourself.

A person can only get HIV by coming into contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is already infected. It is perfectly safe to share the same air, drink from the same water fountain and use the same exercise equipment as an HIV-infected person.

- Mosquito bites can cause HIV. Many heavily mosquito-infested areas of the world also have high instances of AIDS. Naturally, then, it's common to assume that mosquitoes could play a role in the spread of HIV/AIDS.

However, even after extensive research into this possible link, no evidence exists to indicate that a human being can get HIV/AIDS from a mosquito bite. When a mosquito bites a person, that mosquito is not injecting the blood of the previous person or animal it bit. In addition, studies have shown that the HIV virus lives for only a very small period of time inside an insect, again lending creedence to the belief that there is no connection between mosquitoes and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

- There is a cure for HIV/AIDS. This is a growing, and potentially very dangerous, misconception surrounding HIV/AIDS. Part of this misconception is no doubt rooted in the apparent health of former basketball star Magic Johnson, who abruptly retired from the game in 1991 after announcing that he had HIV. Today, nearly two decades after that announcement, Johnson appears energetic, vibrant and, at least publicly, to not be suffering any ill effects of his HIV infection.

While Johnson's case is encouraging, it does not mean there is a vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS. Research is ongoing, but such a vaccine or cure does not yet exist. It's important to make this known, particularly among sexually active people, as the misconception that there is a cure or vaccine could possibly lead to many people acting irresponsibly.

To learn more about HIV/AIDS, visit the Department of Health and Human Services Web site at www.hhs.gov.

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