10 things to know about AIDS

6. Your risk for contracting AIDS
While men who have sex with men continue to be the largest group reporting positive HIV results, women represent a growing number of positive HIV tests. In 2006, men having sex with men accounted for 39.6 per cent of HIV numbers; women accounted for 28 per cent.

Everyone who engages in potentially risky behaviour (like sharing needles or blood or having unprotected sex) is potentially in danger of becoming infected.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says that if you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you may be at risk for contracting HIV:
-Do you (or have you ever) have unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral)?
-Do you (or have you ever) share needles or equipment for injecting drugs?
-Do you (or have you ever) use unsterilized needles for tattooing, skin piercing or acupuncture?
-Do you experience (or have you ever experienced) occupational exposure to HIV in a health care setting?

7. Whether or not there's a cure for AIDS
There is no cure for AIDS and no vaccine against HIV infection.

8. How to prevent AIDS
Sexual abstinence is one of the most surefire ways to avoid contracting AIDS. No form of protection provides a 100 per cent guarantee against contracting HIV, but using a condom can reduce the risk.

Never share needles. When undergoing acupuncture, body piercing or tattoos, make sure the equipment is sterile.

If you deal with blood or bodily fluids as part of your job, make sure you're adequately protected against the risk of exposure.

If you're pregnant or trying to get conceive, and think you may have been exposed to HIV, talk to your doctor.

9. AIDS treatment options
Although there is no cure for AIDS, treatment is available to help prevent the development of AIDS.

Currently, antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, which combines three or more drugs as treatment, has increased both the quality of life and life expectancy of those infected with HIV. It's important to talk to your doctor about options.

10. Where to learn more about AIDS

-Health Canada
-Canadian AIDS Society
-The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
-The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research

Provincial/Territorial HIV/AIDS Hot Lines (to find an AIDS testing centre in your community):
-Alberta: 1-800-772-2437
-British Columbia: 1-800-994-4337
-Manitoba: 1-800-782-2437
-Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-800-563-1575
-New Brunswick: 1-800-561-4009
-Northwest Territories: 1-800-661-0844
-Nunavut: 1-800-661-0795
-Eastern Arctic: 1-800-661-0795
-Nova Scotia: 1-800-566-2437
-Ontario English: 1-800-668-2437
-Ontario French: 1-800-267-7432
-Prince Edward Island: 1-800-314-2437
-Quebec: 1-888-855-7432
-Hotline for women living with HIV/AIDS in Quebec: 1-866-240-0090
-Saskatchewan: 1-800-667-6876
-Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, x 8323

Knowledge is power: cut your risk of developing one of Canada's 5 most deadly diseases.

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