What is HIV?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, making it unable to fight off many infections. If the virus goes untreated, it can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) when your T-cell / CD4 count is below 200 copies per milliliter
How is HIV Transmitted?
HIV is spread through infected body fluids:
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- Blood
- semen
- pre-seminal fluid
- fluid from the rectum
- fluid from the vagina / front hole
- breast milk
HIV can only spread when infected fluid from a person with HIV gets into the body of another person through:
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- broken skin
- mucosal membranes of the body (vagina, rectum, foreskin)
- the opening of the penis
If you have HIV and are not on ART, you can pass the virus to your baby during:
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- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Breastfeeding / chestfeeding
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Treatment of HIV infection
There is currently NO cure for HIV.
If you have HIV, you can be treated with highly effective antiretroviral (ART) drugs.
These drugs help:
- Lower the level of HIV in your body (viral suppression)
- Slow the spread of the virus in your body
- Help your immune system fight off other infections
- Undetectable = Untransmittable
Diagnosis of HIV
HIV can be diagnosed using several types of blood tests:
- Anonymous rapid test: tests for antibodies in a finger-prick blood test and only takes a few minutes to get results. It can detect antibodies 3-4 weeks after infection.
- Standard Blood draw tests: can be taken in a clinic. It can detect antibodies 3-4 weeks after infection. Results can take about 1 to 2 weeks depending on where you live.
- Early Blood Draw Tests (NAAT/RNA): detects the virus seven to 14 days after infection. Results can take about 1 to 2 weeks depending on where you live.
- Dry Blood Spot tests: (used in the sex now campaign) can be self-administered and mailed to a testing centre. Results can take about 1 to 2 weeks depending on where you live.
Symptoms of HIV infection
- Many do not develop any symptoms immediately after being infected with HIV but can still have a very high viral load (Acute stage).
- Of those that do show symptoms, many develop mild flu-like symptoms 2 to 4 weeks after becoming infected with HIV.
- Common early symptoms include:
- Fever, fatigue, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, joint pain & swollen glands (lymph nodes)
- The symptoms of HIV infection may last from several days to weeks and may go away on their own.
History of HIV
In Canada in 2016:
- An estimated 63,110 people were living with HIV
- An estimated 2,165 new HIV infections occurred
- 86% of Canadians living with HIV were diagnosed
- 81% of Canadians diagnosed with HIV were on treatment
- 91% of HIV positive Canadians on treatment had achieved viral suppression
- The federal government does not track data on trans or non-binary people
Transmission of new HIV infections
- Male-to-male sexual contact – 53%
- Heterosexual contact – 33%
- Injection drug use – 11%
- Male-to-male sexual contact & injection drug use – 3%
To learn more about HIV and what you can do to prevent the virus, visit: Canada.ca and search HIV/AIDS.
What are the Problems today?
- Stigma and discrimination
- Criminalization has been focused on 2SLGBTQ+
- Lack of access to testing, treatment and prevention for all
Transmission of new HIV infections
HIV and the Law
- People with HIV can be prosecuted for not disclosing their HIV status to sexual partners even if there is low or no risk
- Only if you use condoms AND your viral load is below 1500 copies/ml, at the same time, you do not need to disclose. In many places, including Ontario, if you can prove that you have a viral load below 200 copies/ml for 6 months prior to sexual activity you do not need to disclose.
- This adds to the many layers of stigma surrounding HIV+ people and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
- Please visit aidslaw.ca for more information.
Transmission of new HIV infections
- Male-to-male sexual contact – 53%
- Heterosexual contact – 33%
- Injection drug use – 11%
- Male-to-male sexual contact & injection drug use – 3%
To learn more about HIV and what you can do to prevent the virus, visit: Canada.ca and search HIV/AIDS.
What are the Problems today?
- Stigma and discrimination
- Criminalization has been focused on 2SLGBTQ+
- Lack of access to testing, treatment and prevention for all
- There is a lack of access to and knowledge of PrEP & HIV medication
- The U=U Campaign and message is not being endorsed by everyone
- Government information almost always targets those already diagnosed HIV+