It's estimated that more than 7,000 people in Ireland are living with HIV today, about 15% of that number don't know that they have HIV.
A study published by the Sexual Health Centre in Cork to coincide with World AIDS Day has shown that misinformation regarding HIV is still prevalent.
Many people still believe that HIV can be transmitted through saliva, kissing or sharing utensils.
Olivia Teahan of the centre says damaging and misinformation is still in the public domain.
"There's just a lot of stigma and myths which are still there.
"We've made such medical advances, and the treatment available now in Ireland is a totally different ball game from before, but that information isn't out there, and there's a lot of damaging misinformation still out there unfortunately."
