Basic Facts About HIV/AIDS - What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the advanced stage of the disease caused by a virus called HIV.

Human

Immunodeficiency

Virus

The virus attacks and damages the body’s immune and nervous systems.

Everyone can be affected by HIV/AIDS.

Male, female, young, old.

Not yet...

Progress has been made, but prevention is still our only defense.

• having unprotected vaginal and/or anal sex with someone already infected;
• sharing needles for injecting drugs like cocaine, heroin or steroids with someone already infected;
• tattooing, skin piercing or acupuncture with unsterilized needles; sharing razors or toothbrushes with someone who is already infected.
• receiving infected blood or blood products (Since November 1985 in Canada, all blood and blood products are tested for HIV antibodies);
• during pregnancy, at birth or through breastfeeding, an infected mother can pass the virus to her child.

• casual, everyday contact
• shaking hands
• hugging, kissing
• coughing, sneezing
• giving blood
• using swimming pools, toilet seats
• sharing bed linen, eating utensils, food
• mosquitoes and other insects, animals

Infection- Not sick: After infection, people may not feel or look sick for years. However, they can still pass HIV to others.

Sick: Over time, the nervous and immune systems become damaged and HIV-infected people become sick with different illnesses.

AIDS: For people living with advanced HIV infection or AIDS, their immune and nervous systems are weak. They get diseases, such as infections or cancers, which can kill them.

Over time, the body produces antibodies to fight the HIV virus. A blood test can tell if you have these antibodies which show you are infected.

It can take up to six months after infection for these antibodies to show, but 3 months is sufficient time for 99% of people.

No risk:

• abstinence
• if you and your partner are not infected and you only have sex with each other

Some risk:

• safer sex activities
• safer needle use

Safer sex activities prevent contact with semen, vaginal fluids or blood. Talk to your partner about safer sex before having sex.

• use a latex condom correctly every time you have sex
• use only water-based lubricants. Oil-based lubricants such as petroleum jelly should never be used because they may weaken the condom and cause it to break.

• don’t share needles if you are injecting drugs
• use needle exchange programs where used needles can be exchanged for new ones, or
• rinse your used needles twice in water, twice in bleach for 30 seconds, and twice in water again.

...or if you have questions about testing and preventing HIV infection, contact:

your local health unit or community health centre

• your local AIDS organization
• AIDS hotlines
• your doctor
• your sexual health clinic
• National AIDS Clearinghouse

400-1565 Carling Avenue

Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8R1

Fax: (613) 725-9826

The Canadian Public Health Association AIDS Program is funded under the National AIDS Strategy of Health Canada.