Misconceptions remain about HIV

Misconceptions remain about HIV and Aids, an expert has claimed.

Brendan Hanlon, chief executive at Avert, said that many people still misunderstand HIV and Aids, a fact unaided by the fact a national awareness campaign has not taken place since the late 1980s.

He made the comments following the release of a study by scientists at the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which found a daily antiretroviral tablet taken by people who do not have HIV can reduce their risk of acquiring the infection by up to 73 per cent.

He welcomed the study but claimed that trials can often produce results that would be unachievable in reality.

"Trial results can sometimes present a sunnier reality than could be achieved in real life. People involved in both study groups were provided with a wealth of information, emotional support and free condoms - all of which have been shown to decrease HIV risk," he explained.