September 25, 2026 - TBDHU is advising residents of an increase in HIV cases in Thunder Bay and District and is encouraging anyone who may be at risk to get tested.
HIV is a sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) that can be found in blood, seminal fluids, rectal secretions, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. It is most commonly transmitted though condomless anal and vaginal sex, and sharing needles.
Some recent cases have been associated with sexual contact between people who met through online dating or hook-up apps. These apps are commonly used to meet sexual partners. However, when combination prevention measures—such as condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), or sterile needles and other drug-use equipment— are not used, meeting new or multiple partners can increase the risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to spread.
“HIV can affect anyone. Testing, knowing your status and using prevention tools like PrEP or seeking emergency PEP after a potential exposure are all part of taking control of your sexual health”, says Dr. Greg Holzman, TBDHU’s Medical Officer of Health. “HIV is preventable, and knowing your options can make a real difference.”
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medication available as daily pills or long-acting injections. When used as prescribed, it reduces the risk of getting HIV through sex by about 99%, but it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections. Primary care providers and specialized in-person or online services can provide prescriptions. Emergency PEP is a medication that can be taken up to 72 hours post sexual exposure to prevent the transmission of HIV through sex.
For more information, visit TBDHU.com/HIVinfo.
Taking control of your sexual health involves using combination HIV and STBBI prevention strategies tailored to your life. This includes highly effective medical tools alongside barrier methods and regular screening.
TBDHU recommends that sexually active individuals:
- Get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) whenever they have a new sexual partner, or every three months if they have multiple partners.
- Talk openly with sexual partners about HIV and STI testing and prevention.
- Ask a health-care provider about PrEP or visit TBDHU.com/HIVinfo for options.
- Use condoms and other barrier methods with water-based lube every time you have sex to prevent HIV and other STIs, such as gonorrhea and syphilis.
- Seek PEP as soon as possible within 72 hours of a potential exposure. PEPcan be obtained from local emergency departments or call TBDHU at 807-625-5976 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630.
- Use only sterile needles and other drug-use equipment. Do not reuse or share.
Highly effective treatment is available for people living with HIV. A person who takes HIV treatment and maintains an undetectable amount of virus in their blood cannot pass HIV to sexual partners. This is why it is important for people to know their HIV status through regular testing.
Talk to your healthcare provider about HIV testing and whether PrEP is right for you. You can also contact the TBDHU Sexual Health Clinic for confidential and anonymous HIV testing, including point-of-care testing, as well as counselling and referrals to health and community services.
To book an appointment or learn more, call 807-625-5976 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630. For more information about PrEP, other prevention options and HIV self-test kits, such as GetaKit (getakit.ca), visit TBDHU.com/HIVinfo.