AIDS and HIV

HIV is an infection that can weaken a person’s immune system and their ability to fight infections. Over time, this can lead to people becoming sick or seriously ill. Symptoms of HIV can include sore muscles, feeling tired, night sweats, sore throat, fever, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, but generally, people have no symptoms at all.  

When HIV is in the body for a long time without any treatment, it can lead to the most serious stage called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). During this stage, the immune system is so weak that rare infections and cancers may develop.

HIV is transmitted by blood, semen (including pre-cum), rectal fluid, vaginal fluid and breast milk of people living with HIV.  HIV can only be transmitted when virus in these fluids enters the bloodstream of an HIV-negative person, either through broken skin or by passing through the mucous membranes (the “wet” tissues of the body).  In Canada, HIV is most often transmitted through sexual activity, followed by injection drug use. HIV can also be transmitted during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding

The risk of HIV transmission is based on the exposure that has occurred. 

High and moderate risk activities are:

• Condomless anal intercourse
• Condomless vaginal intercourse
• Sharing needles or syringes 

Lower risk activities

• Performing and receiving oral sex
• Oral – anal contact
• Blood/ Body fluid contact with non-intact skin or mucosal surfaces such as: sharing needles, drug equipment (such as cookers, filters, pipes etc), ink for tattoos, body piercings or body modifications, and sharing non sterilized medical equipment (such as acupuncture equipment or aesthetic equipment with a sharp edge) 

No risk activities

• Shaking hands or hugging
• Cough, sweat or tears
• Toilet seats
• Sharing dishes
• Insects or animals

• Use an internal or external condom, every time you have vaginal and/or anal sex
• Use an external condom or dental dam every time you have oral sex
• Use water-based or silicone-based lubricants
• If you share sex toys, cover the toy with a condom and clean after each use
• Get tested for STIs regularly 

• Use new equipment every time you inject, including needles, syringes and all other supplies (like cookers, filters and water)
• Never share equipment with anyone, including your sex partner(s)
• Access safe injection sites for new equipment and care

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of HIV medications by HIV-negative persons to prevent getting HIV infection. PrEP involves taking medication every day and seeing a provider every three months for follow-up and testing. Speak to your healthcare provider about access to PrEP. You can also obtain additional information on PrEP from Ottawa Public Health or by visiting GayZone. For more information, go to www.thesexyouwant.ca/prep

The only way to be tested is through a blood test.

The most reliable way to be tested for HIV is through a serological blood test done 3 and 6 weeks after having sex or sharing drug equipment.  Another method is a rapid/self-test done 12 weeks after having sex or sharing drug equipment.  However, a positive rapid/self-test must be confirmed by a serological blood test to confirm it is a true positive (as false positives can occur with rapid/self-tests).

What happens if I have a positive test result?         

• You will be contacted by a public health nurse (PHN) who will provide you with resources, counselling, support, and information to help guide your care, including linking you to an HIV provider, community services, and/or social workers.
• The PHN will also help you notify your sexual and/or drug-equipment sharing partners so that they can be tested and receive support as well.
• People living with HIV can access medication that will help to reduce the level of virus in their blood. This can reduce the chance of passing the infection to other partners.

Call the Sexual Health Infoline Ontario at 1-800-668-2437 if you have questions or need help.