Q: What is HIV?
A: HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV needs access to our blood-stream for infection to occur. HIV gets into someone's bloodstream through membranes that line the vagina, anus, urethra and mouth or through broken skin (e.g. a wound, sore). The HIV virus attacks our immune system using the white “fighter” cells (CD4 cells) that are supposed to protect our bodies. Once the virus attaches to the cells it reproduces itself. Over time, our immune system becomes overwhelmed by the virus, and we get very sick more often and for longer periods of time.

Q: What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
A: HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS is a serious and life-threatening condition for which there is no cure.

Q: How does someone get HIV?
A: HIV is transmitted from person to person when body fluids (i.e. semen, blood, vaginal fluid and breast milk) of someone who is already infected with HIV enter the body of someone who is not infected. You can increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV if you have herpes or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Unprotected sex: Unprotected vaginal or anal sex (i.e. sex without a condom) may allow HIV to enter our bodies in the semen or vaginal fluid of our sex partners. Being the insertive (top) partner or the receptive (bottom) partner does not protect you from HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV don't know that they are infected if they have never been tested. Also, you cannot tell if someone is infected just by looking at the person. That's why it is important to use condoms consistently.

Oral sex: If you have cuts, sores or inflammation in your mouth or throat, HIV can enter your body when you have oral sex without using a condom or dental dam.

Injection drug, steroid or hormone use: HIV can live in a syringe and gets injected into our bloodstream when we share needles (e.g. several drug users share the same needle). Sharing other drug use paraphernalia (e.g., cookers, water, cotton, etc) can also increase the chances of being infected with HIV. Also, smoking crack cocaine can cause our lips to crack or burn, providing another opportunity for HIV infection to occur if people share crack pipes or have unprotected oral sex.

Mother to child: HIV positive mothers can also pass the virus on to their babies during pregnancy, birth or breast-feeding.

Q: How do you know if someone is HIV-positive?
A: You can't tell by looking at someone. Sometimes it can take several years for someone's immune system to become weakened by HIV. The best way to know whether you are infected with HIV (i.e., you are HIV-positive) is to get tested. All pregnant women in Ontario are to be offered the HIV test by their health care practitioner.

Q: How does the HIV test work?
A: When a virus enters our body, we produce a protein to attack the invading virus. This protein is called an anti-body. It takes about two to eight weeks after exposure to HIV to produce enough HIV antibodies that will show up in the blood test. Therefore the HIV blood test is likely to be more accurate about four weeks after you've been exposed to HIV (e.g.4 weeks after having unprotected sex). At this early stage, a negative test result (i.e. no HIV) does not necessarily mean that you are not infected. That's why you should get tested again after a few weeks. Your doctors should talk to you about HIV risk, the different types of tests and how to get your results. If your test is negative (i.e., you do not have HIV), you should talk with your doctor about what you can do to remain free of HIV.

Q: What are my options if I test positive?
A: Discuss your support systems and treatment options with your physician (e.g. what treatments are available, when to start drug treatments, the side effects of drug treatment etc.). Also, discuss with your physician how he/she will help you to monitor your health. Your doctor should refer you to AIDS service organizations (ASOs) or counsellors to help you cope. Through ASOs, you can talk to other people living with HIV as well as get advice about services that meet your needs. Getting a HIV positive test result can be very upsetting. For a list of organizations in your area go to Links/Resources.

Q: If I am HIV positive and pregnant, what are the chances that my baby will get HIV?
A: Between 25 to 35% of babies will get HIV from their HIV-positive mothers if mothers do not receive treatment. When HIV-positive mothers receive appropriate treatment in a timely fashion, less than 1% of babies will get HIV from their HIV-positive mother.

Q: How do you stay healthy with HIV?
A: There are many ways to keep healthy. In Canada, many years ago, people died within the first year of diagnosis. Now with treatment and lifestyle changes, people are living for over 10 to 20 years. People who are infected with HIV should discuss treatment with their doctor. There are drugs available to help control HIV in infected persons. People who are taking anti-HIV medications should follow the schedule of taking their medications as recommended by their doctor.

Studies have shown that having strong social support from friends and family help people living with HIV to cope with the illness, manage their treatment, and have an active social life. A healthy diet, exercise and rest also help to maintain our health. People who are infected with HIV should still practice safer sex. This will minimize the chances of passing on the infection to others. Also, HIV infected persons who do not practice safer sex could become infected with sexually transmitted infections like syphilis, which may cause their HIV infection to get out of control.