December 1^st is World AIDS Day. This is a day that is set aside each year to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS issues around the world. It is also an opportunity to call upon world leaders to honour their commitment to fight against HIV/AIDS.

It was in 1981 that we heard about the first reported case of HIV. In Canada, we are commemorating the 30^th year of HIV awareness and the Canadian AIDS Society’s 25^th anniversary of responding to this epidemic. The theme for this year’s Canadian AIDS Awareness Week (November 24 – December 1) and World AIDS Day is Do Something.

The spread of HIV has not stopped. It is estimated that 68,000 people are living with HIV in Canada. About 25% of those living with HIV don’t even know they have been infected. These people can pass the virus to their sexual partners without knowing it and speed up the spread of HIV.

Ignorance, assumptions about HIV, stigma, and discrimination are factors that contribute to the increasing rate of HIV infection. We can all do something to stop the spread of HIV. The first thing we can do is challenge our assumptions about HIV and learn about the facts.

Assumption: “Winnipeg is not a big city like Vancouver or Toronto. HIV should not be an issue here in

Manitoba.”

Fact: HIV is a Manitoba reality. Manitoba now has the second highest new HIV infection rate, after Saskatchewan, in Canada. Nearly 100 Manitobans are diagnosed with HIV each year.

Assumption: “I am faithful to my husband. I should be safe.”

Fact:Worldwide, about 50% of the people living with HIV are women. Most women become infected with HIV by their husband or boyfriend through unprotected sex (not using condoms). This assumption works only if you know for sure that both you and your husband are not infected with HIV (through an HIV test) and both of you are willing to commit and be faithful to each other as life partners.

Assumption: “HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence. If people don’t die from it, why worry?”

Fact: There is no cure for HIV. There is no vaccine to protect against HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV don’t even know. About half of people diagnosed as HIV+ are already very ill with AIDS and they will die from it. In order to get the treatments that help a person to stay healthy and live for a long time, it is crucial to diagnose HIV infection early. The sooner a person knows about his or her HIV status, the better.

Assumption: “HIV is an issue for younger people. People of my age don’t need to worry about it.”

Fact: HIV does not discriminate by age. Older adults become infected with HIV the same way as younger people – from unprotected sex and sharing needles (even the needles for insulin shots). The numbers of older people newly diagnosed with HIV is increasing. This year, 44% of those diagnosed with HIV are 40 years old or older.

Assumption: “I have gone for a medical check-up and my doctor has done some blood work. I am sure I have been tested for HIV.”

Fact:You won’t be tested for HIV during a regular check up. To get an HIV test, you need to ask your doctor or health care provider for this specific test.

Assumption: “I am straight. HIV has nothing to do with me.”

Fact:Anyone can be infected with HIV. HIV is not a gay disease. Worldwide, most people get HIV from having sex with the opposite sex (heterosexual sex).

Assumption: “I don’t want to sit close to a person on the bus who looks like a skeleton. I think someone who looks like that probably has HIV.”

Fact: Being “thin” does not mean that a person has HIV. You cannot tell a person with HIV by their looks. Many people with HIV look healthy but they can still pass the infection to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles or other drug use equipment. HIV cannot be transmitted by casual contact such as sitting close to someone, shaking hands, hugging etc.

Assumption: “It takes a long time to get an HIV test result. The waiting will worry me to death.”

Fact: It takes about two weeks to get the test result for a standard HIV blood test. There is now a Rapid HIV Test (Point of Care testing) available. A blood sample will be taken from a finger poke and you will be given the result on that same day. You can go to Nine Circles Community Centre for Point of Care testing. Call 940-6000 for an appointment. HIV testing is free and confidential.

We can all do something to reduce the rate of HIV infection. To learn more about the facts regarding HIV and how you can protect yourself and your partner from getting HIV, visit:

• ninecircles.ca
• www.cdnaids.ca

Ate Anna welcomes your questions and comments. Please write to: Ate Anna, Suite 200 – 226 Osborne Street N., Winnipeg, MB R3C 1V4 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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