HIV stands for:
Human
Immunodeficiency
Virus
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, particularly, white blood cells called CD4+ T cells that are responsible for fighting of infections in the body. These cells are critical to the normal function of the human immune system. As they weaken, the body is left vulnerable to opportunistic infections with can result in a chronic, progressive illness.
AIDS stands for:
Acquired
Immunodeficiency
Syndrome
As HIV progressively weakens the immune system, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections, which it will have difficulty in fighting off. At the point of an advanced HIV infection, a person is said to have AIDS. At this stage opportunistic infections that might not severely affect a person with a well-functioning immune system, could be fatal for someone with AIDS.
Yes, many people don’t really understand how HIV and AIDS are related, even though they hear these two words used together all the time. HIV is the virus that enters the body and AIDS is the medical condition that a person living with HIV can reach when their immune system is too weak to fight off infections. A person can have HIV but not have AIDS.
No, this is not true. There is no known cure for HIV. There are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system, extending the length and quality of life. For more information on treatment information please visit the treatment page.
You cannot tell if a person is living with HIV by looking at them. A person could be living with HIV for years and not experience any particular symptoms, everyone is different. The only way to know if you have HIV or not is to get tested. Tests detect HIV antibodies (proteins the body produces to fight off the infection) in blood or oral fluid samples. Please visit the Toronto Public Health website here for a full list of testing sites http://www.toronto.ca/health/cdc/cdc_clinics/shc.htm#clinic_south. You do not need to have OHIP coverage to get tested. Please check the testing section for more information.
Everyone is different and may react differntly to viruses and medications. With a healthy lifestyle and with treatment the time between HIV infection and diagnoses of AIDS can be years or even decades. HIV treatments such as Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) can slow the progression of HIV to AIDS by decreasing the amount of virus in a person’s body. With treatment it is also possible for someone to has been diagnosed with AIDS to streghten their immune system and regain their health.
HIV is not transmitted easily since the virus cannot survive outside the human body. The virus can only be transmitted through certain bodily fluids such as blood, breast milk and sexual fluids (including semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluid). Actions that involve these fluids are considered high risk such as unprotected sex (without a condom), blood transfusions (only in countries where blood is not screened) and during birth of a child or brestfeeding if the mother is HIV positive. Sharing needles or syringes is also considered high risk since these provide access directly to the blood stream.
You cannot contract HIV through any other fluids such as saliva, sweat, tears, mucous or bodily waste. Please see the Understanding Risks section for more information.
You can get free condoms and lubricant at ASAAP and many other AIDS Service Organizations and sexual health clinics! Just get in touch with us. You can also buy condoms at drug stores, sex stores and online at sites such as The Official Condom Directory.
You are never too young to buy condoms. There is no age restriction but if you uncomfortable in a store, consider contact us so you access what you need in a safe space.
Condoms come in different thickness, sizes, and styles. It’s best to try out different brands and types until you find one that fits the best.
The HIV test is a test that looks for HIV antibodies in blood. When a virus enters the body, antibodies are released and can be detected in the blood stream. HIV Antibodies will only exist in those living with the virus and this is what the test looks for.
HIV antibodies will appear in a blood test within three months after infection so it is very important to get tested three months after you feel you were exposed.
Please visit Toronto Public Health here for a full list of anonymous and confidential testing sites http://www.toronto.ca/health/cdc/cdc_clinics/shc.htm#clinic_south
Anonymous testing means you do not have to provide your name or other identification to get tested. Your test is coded with a number and cannot be traced back to you. This way no one will know your test result unless you decide to tell them. You can get tested anonymously at the Hassle Free Clinic in Toronto, www.hasslefreeclinic.org.
Confidential testing means that the results of any HIV test performed will not be revealed to anybody except designated clinic staff and public health officials. In Canada, doctors are required by law to report the names of people who test positive to the local medical officer of health. This does not mean that your family, partner or community will find out. The record is only maintained by health officials.
Whether you want to have a confidential or an anonymous test is entirely up to you. If you need more information please get in touch with us.
Sexual health clinics in the above link provide services to those without status, or OHIP.
