HIV/AIDS 101

Ground Rules Use “I” Statements when expressing your thoughts/concerns. We are all equal in this room and here to learn. Confidentiality – any personal information shared in this room, will stay in the room There is no such thing as a stupid question!!!

Definitions Human Immuno-deficiency Virus Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome H I V What Does HIV Stand For? What Does AIDS Stand For? A I D S

Transmission Information Blood (including menstrual blood) Semen Pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum) Cervical and vaginal mucous Breast milk Anal fluids Saliva Tears Sweat Feces Urine HIV Can be Transmitted Via: HIV Can NOT Be Transmitted Via: Infectious "bodily fluids“ Non- infectious "bodily fluids"

Transmission Cont’d. 1.Unprotected vaginal and/or anal contact with someone who has the virus 2.Direct blood contact through sharing needles 3.Mother to child contact during birth or through breastfeeding 1. Insect bites 2. Sharing dishes, eating utensils, or food 3. Casual, day to day contact (including using restrooms) 4. Donating blood 5. Using hot tubs and/or swimming pools 6. Using the same toilet seat as someone living with HIV Three primary ways in which HIV can be transmitted: HIV can NOT be transmitted by:

How Does HIV/AIDS Work? HIV/AIDS infects our white blood cells and slowly breaks down our body’s ability to fight off infections and diseases. When a person is infected with HIV, the body produces antibodies. If HIV antibodies are detected, it means that the individual is now living with HIV – HIV antibodies can usually be detected in a “window period” 6-12 weeks after infection, and in some rare cases up to 6 months.

Testing Information HIV test where a specialized code is used instead of a name or initials. The results will never appear on your health record and only the person getting tested knows the code. Your actual name is used on the test, and if the result is positive, public health needs to be notified. Identical to nominal/name based testing except your name does not appear on the test. Either a code or initials are used. **Both last options are confidential, but the test and the results goes on your health records, and you need an Ontario Health Card – offered at most health services in Ontario. If you test positive you are reported to the Medical Officer of Health and the information stays confidential with that organization Anonymous Nominal/name based Testing Non-nominal Testing

Testing Locations: York Region 7 Sexual Health Clinics: Markham 4261 Highway 7 Phone: Ext Richmond Hill 50 High Tech, 2nd floor Phone: Ext Newmarket 22 Prospect Street Phone: Ext Woodbridge (Woodbridge College Students only) Woodbridge College, Guidance Department 71 Bruce Street *Rapid and Anonymous Testing Available at all sexual health clinics **Must call to make an appointment for testing, clinic hours may vary by location and date Keswick (Keswick High School Students only ) Keswick High School, 100 Biscayne Boulevard Phone: King City Seneca College, King Campus, Dufferin Street Phone: Sutton Sutton High School, Dalton Road Phone:

HIV and Other STIs For persons with an STI infection: – The risk of HIV transmission is increased 3-50 fold For persons with an HIV infection: – HIV genital shedding in men and women increases in the presence of STIs and can accelerate the depression of the immune system

Global HIV/AIDS Statistics Globally – 33.2 million people are living with HIV In recent years, the UN has reported a 70% global reduction in the number of new reported infections Most of the reduction is explained by decreases in new reported HIV/AIDS cases in India as well as several sub-Saharan African countries including: Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Angola. UNAIDS 2007

Canadian HIV/AIDS Statistics In Canada, approx. 65,000 people are living with HIV (as of the end of 2008) Men who have sex with Men (MSM) account for 48% of reported cases. Heterosexual contact accounts for 31% Injection Drug Users account for 17% Aboriginal people account for approximately 12.5% of new infections VS. Ontario HIV/AIDS Statistics Ontario has had the highest number of HIV+ results since 1985: 26,461. Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) account for 50.4% of reported cases Women account for 23% Injection Drug Users (IDU) account for 9.5% Heterosexual contact accounts for 16.9% People from countries where HIV is endemic count for 19.4% Public Health Agency of Canada- Government of Canada University of Toronto

Toronto HIV/AIDS Statistics Toronto accounts for the largest number of individuals testing positive for HIV in Ontario – 16,458. Men who have sex with men (MSM) 73.9% of reported cases Women 12% Injection drug users (IDU) 4.3% Heterosexual contact 7.8% People from countries where HIV is endemic 7.9% VS. York Region HIV/AIDS Statistics Approximately 230 People have been diagnosed between 1998 and 2007 In 2007 alone, 17 new cases were reported cases are investigated each year. University of Toronto

HIV/AIDS and Stigma Stigma can be found in societal, organizational and religious policies, cultural norms and in the way we relate to each other and ourselves. HIV stigma is rooted in a lack of knowledge about sexual health, our own fear, and our prejudices about certain communities The effect of being stigmatized is great in that it can result in: Social isolation Loss of self-esteem Fear of disclosure Depression, anxiety and stress Depressed immune system Despair and hopelessness Increased risk of not engaging in safer sex practices, not getting tested and being unable to properly care for one’s health HIV does not discriminate based on what neighbourhood you live in, gender, race or sexual orientation. It is an equal opportunity infection and you can NOT tell if someone is living with HIV/AIDS by simply looking at them.

What Can You Do if You Think You may Have Been Exposed? Go to the ER or your doctor immediately! They will go through a “risk assessment” with you to determine the likelihood of transmission If appropriate, you and your doctor will decide TOGETHER whether a small dosage of the HIV cocktail should be administered After the window period an HIV test will be conducted

Questions, Comment or Concerns?

Additional Information and Resources AIDS Committee of York Region – Provides links to a variety of other York Region community resources York Region Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Youth Support at Public Health Agency of Canada UNAIDS ACT (AIDS Committee of Toronto) HIV/AIDS Bureau