HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s most significant public health challenges.

Some quick facts from Public Health Agency of Canada:

• An estimated 39 million people worldwide are living with HIV
• Over 4 million people are newly infected each year, 640,000 of whom are children
• Since the pandemic began, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people
• As of 2005, 58,000 people in Canada were living with HIV and this number is rising
• HIV does not discriminate by gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or income

Quick facts and statistics are important but we need more information to put them in context. This helps us answer the question of why some people are more vulnerable than others, or why is HIV so persistent when it is so preventable. Browse through our FAQs and the Understanding Risks sections for more information.

The more we know the better prepared we are to collectively address this pandemic locally and globally.  

What is HIV?

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.

What is AIDS?

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.

How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?

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.

How is HIV transmitted?

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.

Where can I get condoms?

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.