HIV / AIDS

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What are HIV and AIDS?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV kills certain blood cells that are needed for the immune system to protect the body against illness.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) occurs when the immune system is damaged by HIV to the point where a person develops any number of infections and diseases that healthy immune systems can usually fight off.

What are the symptoms?

After becoming infected with HIV, some people experience a brief flu-like illness that may include weight loss, swollen glands, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, chills, and sweats. Most people feel completely well and have no symptoms for a long time.

Once infected with HIV, the virus continues to attack the immune system, putting the person at risk for other infections and illnesses. These illnesses, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and cancer, are known as opportunistic infections. A person with AIDS likely has periods of good health in between serious illnesses.

How is it detected?

See your health care provider or make an appointment at a sexual health clinic. Some communities have anonymous test sites where your name is not required. An Ontario health card is not needed to have HIV testing.

HIV infection is usually detected through a blood test or a sample of oral fluid. Great care is taken to protect the identity of the person being tested. Early testing and diagnosis are crucial. The earlier HIV is detected, the better the chance for living a long and healthy life.

How is it spread?

HIV is a fragile virus that cannot survive well outside the body. It cannot be passed on to others through casual, everyday contact. Body fluids that may have enough of the virus in them to infect someone are blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. You can become infected with HIV when one of these infected body fluids comes into contact with your body in a way that allows the virus to reach your bloodstream.

HIV can enter the body through a vein, the mouth, or other mucous membranes (e.g. eyes, inside of nose), or through cuts, rashes, sores or a break in the skin of the anus, rectum, vagina or penis. HIV can be spread by:

• sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal, oral) with an HIV-infected person,
• sharing needles for injection, smoking or snorting equipment with someone who is infected with HIV,
• HIV-positive women to babies before or during birth, or through breast-feeding,
• contaminated equipment used for piercing and tattooing, and
• transfusions of infected blood or blood products. This type of spread is very rare in countries like Canada, where blood is screened for HIV antibodies.

How is it treated?

Progress has been made in producing effective drugs that fight HIV directly. At this time, there is no cure for AIDS. However there are medications and treatments which can control or prevent opportunistic infections. Antiretroviral (ARV) medicines help keep HIV levels low and prolong life for persons with HIV/AIDS.

How is HIV prevented?

To prevent HIV:

• refrain from unprotected sexual intercourse with someone infected with HIV.
• use latex condoms consistently and correctly.
• if you inject, inhale or snort drugs, use clean equipment and syringes, and do not share equipment or syringes with others. Many communities, including those in Grey Bruce, have needle-exchange programs where drug users can exchange used needles for clean, new syringes and equipment at no cost.
• if you are getting a tattoo or piercing, go to a reputable business and make sure sterile needles and equipment are used.

For more information call Public Health at (519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.