About HIV/AIDS

WHAT IS HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that can eventually lead to AIDS. HIV breaks down your body’s immune system, making it easier for you to get a variety of illnesses.

 

WHAT IS AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is believed to be caused by prolonged infection with HIV. When you are HIV Positive and your immune system can no longer fight off an “opportunistic infection,” you are diagnosed with AIDS.

 

WHAT ARE OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS?

Bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses can take advantage of a weak immune system, leading to “opportunistic infections” (OIs). There are over 20 OIs, and they are frequently the cause of chronic illness among people with HIV. To read more about OIs and treatment, Click Here to go to the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) website.

 

HOW DO PEOPLE GET HIV?

HIV is transmitted from one person to another. The most common ways HIV is spread is through:

  • shared needles for injection drug use
  • unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse;
  • During pregnancy or at birth an HIV Positive mother could transmit HIV to her child. A mother could also transmit HIV to her child through breast milk.

Other ways that HIV can be spread is through:

  • Occupational exposure in health care settings or needle stick injuries
  • Unprotected oral sex and other unprotected sexual practices
  • Unsterilized needles for tattooing, skin piercing or acupuncture

 

HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED (PASSED FROM PERSON TO PERSON)?

Here's an easy formula to help describe how the virus is transmitted. All three parts of the formula must be present in order for there to be a possibility of infection* :

HIV Positive Body Fluid
                 +
Direct Access to the Bloodstream
                 +
Risk Activity

*Adapted from Youthco website > HIV/AIDS & Hep C Info > How is HIV transmitted?

HIV+ Body Fluid

The body fluids that may put someone at risk for HIV infection are:

    * Blood (including menstrual blood)
    * Semen (including pre-cum)
    * Vaginal fluid
    * Breast milk

Direct Access to the Bloodstream

HIV must get into the blood stream.  This may happen through:

    * mucous membranes in the vagina, anus, urethra*
    * Open cuts, tears and sores in the skin

*there are mucous membranes in other parts of the body as well, however the  vagina, anus, and urethra are the main entry points for HIV.

Risk Activity

In order to be at risk for HIV infection, a person must be participating in a risk activity. High risk activities include:

    * injecting with shared needles
    * vaginal and anal sex without barrier
    * receiving shared sex toys

Low risk activities include:
     *performing oral sex without a barrier
     *vaginal and anal sex with a barrier
     *injecting with cleaned (used) needles
     *tattooing with non-professional (used) equipment
     *taking blood in the mouth
     *occupational exposure
  
For more information on risk activities you can call 488-5742 and ask to speak to a counselor or educator. Click here to download the resource HIV Transmission: Guidelines for Assessing Risk from the Canadian AIDS Society website.


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIV?

Approximately 2 to 4 weeks after infection, some individuals experience flu-like symptoms. Others may not experience any symptoms at all. After this time, it can be years before individuals experience any more symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they are often a combination of persistent symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, fever, night sweats, dry cough, diarrhea, swollen glands, memory loss, confusion and depression.

 

WHERE CAN I GET TESTED FOR HIV?

You can get tested for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections with your family doctor, at walk-in clinics, the Birth Control Centre and the STD Clinic. All testing should be confidential.

The STD Clinic is located at 11111 Jasper Avenue. For more information, call 413-5156.

There are two tests for testing for HIV. The first test you will receive is the Elisa Test – tests for antibodies to the virus. If the test is positive you will receive the Western Blot Test, a more reliable test to confirm positive results.

Pre and post counseling is critical.  HIV Edmonton provides counseling on-site and through outreach. Please contact 488-5742 to ask about pre and post test counseling.

 

CAN HIV LIVE OUTSIDE THE BODY?

No, HIV cannot live outside the body for more than a few minutes, but under ideal conditions, it can live in a syringe for close to two weeks. Once the HIV virus is “dead,” it cannot be re-activated.

 

WHAT IS THE RISK OF GETTING HIV FROM A SINGLE NEEDLESTICK INJURY?

The risk of getting HIV from a single needle-stick injury is very low - 0.3%


 

WHAT IS THE RISK OF TRANSMITTING HIV FROM MOTHER TO BABY DURING CHILDBIRTH?

The risk of HIV transmission from mother to baby with no interventions: ~25%*
The risk of HIV transmission from mother to baby with elective c-section: ~0-8%*
The risk of HIV transmission from mother to baby with HIV cocktail of drugs: ~0-2%*
* Percentages are approximate and from 1999 research

 

WILL I GET HIV FROM HAVING ORAL SEX?

Oral sex is considered to be a low risk activity in regards to transmission of HIV. There is a potential for HIV transmission because HIV positive body fluids may have access to the bloodstream via cuts or openings in the mouth. However, there are few reports of infection attributed to oral sex.

 

IS ORAL SEX SAFER THAN INTERCOURSE?

Yes. Some points to remember:

The risk of contracting HIV during oral sex becomes higher if one has any open cuts, sores or burns in the mouth, or bleeding gums.

Methods of reducing the risk of HIV transmission during oral sex:

  • One can use a latex or polyurethane barrier. A latex condom can be used on the penis. A condom cut lengthwise or a dental dam can be placed against the vulva or anus. 
  • Wait 30 minutes after brushing or flossing your teeth before performing oral sex
  • Maintain good oral hygiene
  • Avoid oral sex if one has any open cuts, sores or burns in the mouth, or bleeding gums

 

CAN YOU GET HIV FROM A BLOOD TRANSFUSION?

In March 1985, the Canadian Red Cross began to screen donated blood for HIV. Blood that tests positive for HIV is not used.

 

DO OTHER STDs INCREASE MY RISK FOR HIV?

STIs can increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV. An STD that causes an open sore or causes trauma to the skin can provide direct access for an HIV positive bodily fluid to enter the bloodstream.
Currently (2007), there is a syphilis outbreak occurring in the Capital Health Region. Syphilis is of concern as it can increase the risk of transmission or acquisition of HIV. For more information Click Here.

 

HOW SHOULD BLOOD/BODY FLUID SPILLS BE CLEANED?

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends that blood spills with HIV positive blood be cleaned with a 1:100 – 1:10 dilution of household bleach in water. For more information Click Here.

 

DO PEOPLE DIE OF AIDS?

Technically, yes they do. They die as a result of one or a combination of diseases that they get because their immune systems can no longer fight them off.