AIDS misconceptions spawn Coca-Cola 'remedy' in Malaysia

Asian Economic News, Oct 23, 2000

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 19 Kyodo

Lack of information about AIDS, an increasing health worry in Malaysia, is creating some novel, and dangerous, misconceptions, the Sun newspaper reported Thursday.

Quoting the Sarawak AIDS Network (SAN), a voluntary organization in Sarawak State on Borneo Island, the Sun said some prostitutes there believe they can protect themselves and customers against the HIV virus, which causes AIDS, by using a can of Coca-Cola as a disinfectant.

According to SAN, prostitutes and their customers shake up a can of cola and then spray their genitals before sex.

''They believe the (cola) bubbles can kill the virus, probably because they have seen doctors use detergent to cleanse a patient's wounds,'' SAN member Dr. Andrew Kiyu was quoted as saying.

Many in Sarawak also believe they can identify an HIV-positive person based on appearance or body odor, he said, adding ''It is amazing the myths some Sarawakians believe.''

Kiyu, who is deputy director of the state health department, said AIDS made its first appearance in Sarawak when some residents were exposed to the virus abroad, but, he said, the disease now affects people who have never left the state.