Breaking Myths: HIV Real Talk in 2026 (Toilet Seats, U=U, HIV vs AIDS) | w/ NP Jenna from Hope & Help

Host Theresa Giles welcomes nurse practitioner Jenna (with Hope & Help for six years, NP for 16–17 years) to the third episode of Breaking Myths for an HIV facts discussion streamed on TikTok. Jenna explains HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact like toilet seats, sharing glasses or forks, hugging, kissing, mosquitoes, coughing, or sneezing, emphasizing HIV is fragile and transmission requires specific bodily fluids and mucous membranes, most commonly during sex. She addresses the myth that HIV is a death sentence, stating that in 2026 it is a chronic, manageable condition for most people with one daily pill or an injection every two months, and that people with HIV can look healthy so you can’t tell by appearance. They discuss the harmful myth that only certain types of people get HIV, clarifying anyone having unprotected sex can be at risk, while higher rates in some communities relate to barriers to care, stigma, systemic disparities, and lack of access to testing and information. Jenna highlights U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable), stating that if someone takes medication and is undetectable in labs, there is zero risk of sexually transmitting HIV, and notes PrEP as additional protection. She clarifies HIV versus AIDS, describing AIDS as the result of untreated HIV leading to severe immune suppression, and that people can live with HIV and never develop AIDS with access to medication. The episode closes with calls to action to normalize regular testing every three to four months, talk with partners, use rapid 15-minute testing at Hope & Help, speak up to correct misinformation, and reduce stigma through education and kindness.

00:00 Welcome to Breaking Myths: Meet Theresa & Jenna

00:47 Myth #1: Can you catch HIV from a toilet seat, hugs, or mosquitoes?

02:19 2026 Reality Check: HIV is a manageable chronic condition

03:32 Myth #2: “You can tell who has HIV just by looking”

04:17 How HIV actually spreads: mucus membranes, fluids, and what *doesn’t* transmit

05:51 Myth #3: “Only certain people get HIV” + why disparities exist

07:36 U=U Explained: Undetectable means Untransmittable (zero risk) + PrEP

09:21 HIV vs AIDS: What’s the difference and can you have HIV without AIDS?

10:42 Why myths persist: stigma, fear, and barriers to testing & treatment

12:02 Call to action: Get tested, speak up, be kind—ending stigma

14:00 Wrap-up: Remember U=U and stay tuned for the next episode

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