Hiv in Pepsi

HIV in Pepsi, True or False?

Technology such as, Facebook, Twitter, texting, and e-mail are a few of the many ways our generation communicates in today's world. All of these resources are great, and make life a lot easier. Not only does technology allow us to communicate for our own personal needs, we see that it is becoming more wide spread in businesses, news stations and even in schools. Technology is a great tool however, like most great things it has its negative side. From internet scams, to more popular e-mail and texting hoaxes, today's generation really needs to be aware of what is real and what is not when it comes to cyberspace. A particular e-mail hoax that has grabbed people's attention was that an HIV infected worker at Pepsi had contaminated the latest batch of Pepsi with his blood. These stories are so well worded, and tend to scare people that they begin to think un-logically. Such as, if it is medically possible for this to happen or why there was not any media attention on an issue so big. Taking each of these factors into account, it is obvious that Pepsi was not really contaminated with HIV.

It may seem so obvious that this allegation is not true; however seeing the actual story might help us understand why it became so popular. As posted on Facebook on July 23, 2011:

"URGENT!!!!!! ALERT!!! Please DO NOT DRINK any PEPSI SODA, a worker from the company has put blood CONTAMINATED with AIDS inside the BOTTELS!!! Please forward this!! No jokes NOT taking any chances.... Check the news (Emery)".

This story is believed to be the first of many variations of the contaminated Pepsi. Soon more began showing up. As posted on Facebook November, 29 2011:

"IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM DELHI POLICE.... 4 [for the] NEXT FEW DAY [days] DNT [sic] DRINK ANY PRODUCT FROM PEPSI, TROPICANA JUICE SLICE, 7UP, COCA COLA, ETC , AS A WORKER FROM D [the] COMPANY HAS ADDED HIS BLOOD CONTAMINATED WIT [sic] AIDS. Watch NDTV. Plez [sic] Forward dis [this] message to every 1 u care 4 plz [please] (Emery)".

After reading such a nasty post, one might begin to wonder who would take the time to make such a story, and why it was created in the first place. People make up internet hoaxes everyday whether it is for pure enjoyment, or giving someone or something a bad reputation. The Pepsi hoax could have been started by a worried Coca-Cola employee trying to seek more attention to the Coke products rather than the Pepsi products. Coca-Cola administrators could have gotten worried about Pepsi taking the lead in the buyer's market. By creating a false story, and giving Pepsi a bad reputation, it would allow Coca-Cola sales to increase. In a desperate attempt to get more customers, an e-mail hoax just might be the secret to rising to the top.

Now, as mentioned in the introduction, it is medically impossible for HIV to survive outside of the body. HIV can be transmitted many ways; however transmission through Pepsi is not one of them. To become infected with HIV, you must have unprotected sex with an HIV positive partner, through pregnancy, or by sharing any type of sharps (needles or syringes).

The most common way HIV is spread is by having unprotected sex with an infected partner. The virus can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva,