HIV/AIDS
- What is HIV/AIDS?
- How is HIV transmitted?
- How do I prevent HIV infection?
- What are the sign and symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
- Who is at risk of getting HIV/AIDS?
- What are some myths about HIV/AIDS?
- Who need to be tested for HIV?
- How to tell your HIV status (testing)?
- Is it your first time having sex?
- Negotiating safer sex with your partner
- For more information on HIV/AIDS consider the following resources
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. The virus is spread from person to person through blood-to-blood contact and sexual contact. Many people with HIV will eventually develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is a condition that results from HIV infection. By the time people with HIV develop AIDS, the virus has damaged their immune systems.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is transmitted through the following body fluids. These bodily fluids many be exchanged through unsafe sexual activities (anal, vaginal, and oral) and when individuals share IV drugs needles.
- Blood and blood products
- Semen and pre-cum. Pre-cum is the small amount of fluid that is released from the penis before ejaculation.
- Vaginal fluids
- Breast milk
You CANNOT get HIV from the tears, saliva, sweat and urine of an infected person.
How do I prevent HIV infection?
- Abstain — Abstinence in this context means, staying away from sex and all activities that would make you vulnerable to having sex.
- Mutual monogamy — This means being monogamous to one partner who is uninfected and they are monogamous to you. You and your partner agree to only be sexually active with each other.
- Condom use — Using a latex condom consistently and correctly in all sexual activities.
- Use Sterile Needles — Individuals should not share needles while using injections drugs, getting a tattoo, or body piercing.
- Medical care — Whenever you visit the doctor/dentist it is your right as patient to confirm that all medical equipment has been sterilized before use. If the doctor is going to administer an injection you also have the right to ask that he/she remove the needle from the package in your presence. They should follow universal precautions.
What are Universal precautions? Universal precautions are infection control guidelines designed to protect workers from exposure to diseases spread by blood and certain body fluids.
What are the sign and symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
Please note that these symptoms may also relate to other illnesses, so if you experience any of these symptoms it is not certain that you have contracted HIV. The symptoms are just merely a guide to tell you that something is wrong with your body. Only a test from a medical professional can tell whether you are positive are not. Some symptoms may include:
- Dry cough and sore throat
- Experiencing abnormal shortness of breath
- Constance flu-like symptoms
- Rapid weight loss
- Loss of appetite
HIV can also be present in the body for many years without showing any signs are symptoms. When HIV does start to break down the immune system, the body no longer has the power to fight or resist against disease.
Who is at risk of getting HIV/AIDS?
- Anybody having sex without a condom.
- People with more than one sexual partner who do not use a condom during sexual intercourse.
- People whose sex partner has sex with other individuals without using a condom.
- Individuals who share IV drug needles that are not sterilized.
- A child born to a mother who is HIV positive.
- People who received blood transmissions prior to 1985 before routine screening was in place. Currently, Canadian Blood Services screens all donations for HIV.
- People who are exposed to blood and blood products through their occupation.
What are some of the myths about HIV?
- You CANNOT get HIV by hugging, touching, shaking hands, kissing or living with or taking care of someone with HIV/AIDS.
- You CANNOT get HIV by eating from the same plate, cup or utensils that an HIV positive person uses.
- You CANNOT tell by looking if someone has HIV.
- You CANNOT get HIV from a HIV positive person’s cough, sneeze or saliva.
- You CANNOT get HIV from the air we breathe, food, and from water.
- You CANNOT get HIV from the toilet seat.
- You CANNOT get HIV from a mosquito bite.
You can only contract HIV through exposure to infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk.
Who need to be tested for HIV?
- sexually active people
- people who have unprotected sex
- individuals who were involved in sexual assault
- if you got accidentally perforated by a needle
- women planning a pregnancy
- people who have doubts that their sex partner might be unfaithful
How to tell your HIV status?
The only way to know your HIV status is by doing a HIV test. One of the things to be aware of with HIV infection, is that you can be infected but have no symptoms for many years. The only way to know for sure is to take a test. HIV is tested by taking a sample of blood or a sample of skin tissue from the mouth with a cotton swab. The test is actually looking for “antibodies” that are working to fight the HIV infection. If the antibodies are present, then HIV has been contracted.
There is a time frame known as a “window period”. This means your body takes time to begin developing antibodies to HIV. The time is usually 90 days or 12 weeks. For example, if you had unprotected sexual intercourse on Friday night, you will not be able to get an HIV test on Saturday morning. You’ll have to wait approximately 90 days until your body starts producing antibodies to fight the virus.
There is no known cure for HIV; once you have contracted the virus, you will carry it for life. However, HIV can be treated and controlled with medication and with lifestyle modifications.
When you approach a clinic for an HIV test, there will be some options. You can take an anonymous test or a confidential test.
- Anonymous Testing — This type of testing is available at various Sexual Health Clinics in Toronto. For a full list of clinics that offer anonymous testing, you can call the AIDS and Sexual Health Info Line at (416) 392-2437 or 1 (800) 668-2437. With anonymous testing, you are assigned a number that is associated with your test results. This way, you do not need to give your name.
- Confidential Testing — All medical tests are confidential. This means that the information and results will appear on your medical record and only you and your physician will know this information. Your name is associated with the test results however the information is strictly between you and your doctor. Only in extremely rare instances can legal authority be used to view your medical records.
Any HIV positive test results are reported to the local Medical Officer of Health for tracking purposes.
Is it your first time having sex?
If you are considering participating in sexual activities, these tips may be helpful.
- Before you engage in your first sexual encounter, ensure that you and your partner discuss and are aware of the risks (for example, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, emotional engagement, etc.)
- Visit your doctor, health center, health educator or speak to someone you feel comfortable talking to; preferably someone who is knowledgeable about safer sex.
- The decision to have sex should be mutual.
- Decide on your choice of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and pregnancy prevention before engaging in sexual intercourse. (latex condoms are highly recommended)
- If you are unaware of yours or your partners HIV status it very important for both of you to get tested.
- Try to know as much as possible about your partners past sexual experience, for example, whether he/she has ever contracted an STI.
- If you choose to use the male condom, ensure they are made from latex, and that they are clearly marked with an expiration date.
- Consider practicing opening the condom package and seeing what it is like before you are planning to use it.
- Don’t feel embarrassed to stop during sexual intercourse to check the condom if you are concerned about whether or not it’s shifting or feels like it’s falling off.
- Don’t feel embarrassed to communicate with each other throughout the process. Say things like, “Is this okay”, “How about this?” or other verbal cues that help you “check in” with your partner and their comfort level.
- Don’t worry if the first time is less than perfect! It can be awkward and uncomfortable and not what you expected. That’s okay and perfectly normal! All things are usually awkward the first time you experience them. If you continue to feel awkward and uncomfortable for some time, consider making an appointment with your Health Educator to discuss some tips on how to overcome those challenges
Negotiating safer sex with your partner
When negotiating safer sex with your partner these are some very useful tips to remember. Whenever approaching your partner about safer sex issues always start your conversation by saying:
- "I think WE should consider using a condom because…" You might complete this sentence by saying it will make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful because we won’t be worrying about sexually transmitted infections or unintended pregnancies. Or you might just say something simple like, "it’s the smart thing to do".
- Never start by saying, "YOU should consider using a condom because…& Safer sex should be a shared responsibility between both partners.
- If you are nervous about starting the conversation, try to create a romantic setting to ensure your partner is comfortable. Or perhaps you both have an activity you enjoy doing together like biking or running, or sitting on the grass in a park. Choose an environment where you are both comfortable and relaxed and try to have the discussion long before you are planning to have sexual intercourse. A moment before penetration is not the time to be discussing safer sex for the first time.
Many people engage in sexual activity without ever talking about sexual activity. It’s important to gain some skills in discussing your thoughts, feelings, and concerns about being sexually active. If you are going to do it, you should learn how to talk about it!
For more information on HIV/AIDS consider visiting the following resources:
- AIDS Committee of Toronto: www.actoronto.org/
- Toronto Public Health: www.toronto.ca/health/aids_resources/index.htm
- Health Canada: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dc-ma/aids-sida/index_e.html
- Public Health Agency of Canada: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/aids-sida/hiv_aids/index.html
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