About HIV/AIDS

Information for this section has been provided by Health Canada.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness and leaving infected people vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. The median time from infection to AIDS diagnosis now exceeds 10 years. AIDS is fatal. There is no cure.

The Issue: It has been more than 20 years since HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed in Canada. Still, thousands of Canadians are infected each year. AIDS is a deadly disease. There is no cure, nor is there a vaccine to prevent infection. HIV infection, however, is largely preventable.

HIV is transmitted through:

• unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, oral)
• shared needles or equipment for injecting drugs
• unsterilized needles for tattooing, skin piercing or acupuncture
• pregnancy, delivery and breast feeding (from an HIV-infected mother to her infant)
• occupational exposure in health care settings

HIV CAN NOT be transmitted through:

• casual, everyday contact
• shaking hands, hugging, kissing
• coughs, sneezes
• giving blood
• swimming pools, toilet seats
• sharing eating utensils, water fountains
• mosquitoes, other insects, or animals.

Source: Health Canada