• Viral infection spread by having sex or sharing intravenous drugs [IV]
  
• HIV attacks the immune system of an infected person

How HIV is spread?

• HIV is spread when there is an exchange of infected body fluids such as blood, semen, or vaginal fluids
  
• Babies can get HIV from infected mothers during childbirth and through breast feeding
  
• HIV can also be spread if instruments used in body piercing, tattooing or hair removal are infected with the virus
  
• HIV is not spread by casual social contact such as, touching, hugging or shaking hands with an infected person.
  
• Insects and pets do not spread HIV

Testing and treatment

• You must see a clinic nurse and doctor.
  
• Testing is free at the health unit. It is done through the anonymous testing program.
  
• A blood test checks for HIV antibodies
  
• A positive result means that the HIV virus is in your blood. You can spread the virus to others.
  
• A negative result means that you had not been infected with HIV at the time the test was done
  
• It usually takes 14 weeks for enough antibodies to show up in a blood test. Testing done before 14 weeks may not show a true result and should be repeated.
  
• HIV infected people may go on to develop AIDS
  
• AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection. People with AIDS may get infections like unusual types of pneumonia, or develop unusual cancers.

If you think you are infected:

• You must see your doctor for HIV testing or go to the health unit for the anonymous testing program.
  
• Testing is private and confidential
  
• If you are HIV positive, your sex partners and anyone you have shared needles with must be told that they have been exposed to the virus.
• Contact Tracing will need to take place. You can choose to tell your partners yourself or have the clinic nurse tell them. Your name will be kept confidential if the nurse tells your partners.

How HIV/AIDS is treated

• There is no cure for HIV infection or for AIDS at this time
  
• HIV remains in the body for life
  
• Many drugs have been developed that slow the progress of HIV. So far none of these drugs cure HIV/AID's
  
• Researchers continue to work towards a cure for HIV/AID's.

How can one prevent themselves from coming into contact with HIV? See Safer Sex.

For more information, you may also contact:

AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (807) 345-1516