About HIV and AIDS

HIV is 100% preventable and there is no cure. There are some drugs that can slow down the disease so that you stay healthier for a longer time. But these drugs cannot get rid of HIV or cure AIDS. Prevention is your only defense.

What is HIV?
Human
Immunodeficiency
Virus

HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system. Once the virus gets inside your body you may not feel or look sick for years, but you can still infect others. Over time, your immune system may grow weak and you can become sick with different illnesses.

What is AIDS?
Acquired
Immunodeficiency
Syndrome

If HIV is left untreated, your immune system will no longer be able to defend your body from infections, diseases or cancers which can kill you. Once this happens you have AIDS.

How do you get it?
Having vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV without using a condom
Having oral sex with someone who has HIV without using a condom or a dental dam
Sharing sex toys with someone who has HIV
Take part in any other activities that include contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluid
Sharing needles or other equipment (water, cooker, filter, etc.) to inject drugs like cocaine, heroine, or steroids with someone who has HIV
Sharing needles or ink to get a tattoo
Sharing needles or jewelry to get a body piercing
Sharing acupuncture needles

You can’t get it by…
Talking, shaking hands, working or eating with someone who is infected
Hugs or kisses
Coughs or sneezes
Donating blood
Swimming pools
Toilet seats or water fountains
Bed sheets or towels
Forks, spoons, cups, food
Insects or animals

Prevention
Practice safer sex
Use a latex or polyurethane condom or a female condom correctly, every time you have vaginal or anal sex.
Use a condom or dental dam correctly every time you have oral sex.
Use only water-based lubricants with latex condoms (Oil-based lubricants like Vaseline can weaken a latex condom and cause it to break.)
Choose non-penetrative forms of sexual stimulation, like masturbation, sensual massage, phone sex or cybersex.
Practice safer injecting
Use a new needle and new supplies (water, cooker, filter, etc.) every time you inject.
Never share needles or supplies with anyone else.

Practice universal precautions

Symptoms
A few people get flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, swollen glands) when they first get infected.

Most people don’t get any symptoms at all

Testing
If you think you have been infected with HIV, you should get tested.

If you get infected with HIV, your body will make antibodies to fight it. The HIV test (a simple blood test) looks for these antibodies. It can take 8 to 14 weeks after you get infected for your body to produce enough antibodies to show up in the blood test.

For more information, please see the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange website.