Sex Ed: HIV — More than a Harmful Icky Virus

The human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks and damages the body’s immune system.

The immune system fights off infection.

But over years, HIV breaks down our ability to get over even minor infections. When a person has had a number of infections, illnesses or cancers as a result of the virus, the condition is labeled as AIDS (Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome).

HIV is the most devastating STD of all — but understanding how it works is all it takes to move from fear to understanding. With knowledge, you can protect yourself and care for people living with the disease.

Viruses aren’t picky. HIV will infect women and men, Inuit and Qallunaat, straight, gay, bi, or lesbian, young or old.

There are only a few ways to get HIV. Zillions of little virus particles are found in blood, semen (cum), pre-ejaculate (that wet stuff before a guy comes), vaginal fluids and breast milk.

HIV can be spread from one person to another through unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral sex), sharing needles (for intravenous drugs, body piercing or tattooing), or from an infected mum to her baby during pregnancy or through breastfeeding.

So if you have it does it mean you can never have sex again? Of course not.

But there’s stuff to remember and choices to make. You need to tell all your past, current and future partners that you are HIV positive. Remember that sex is more than intercourse and different activities carry different amounts of risk of transmission.

There is no risk with touching, kissing, hugging or massage. There is a low risk with oral sex (with ejaculation) and with vaginal or anal intercourse with a latex condom.

There is a high risk of transmitting the virus with intercourse without a condom.

All pregnant women in Canada should be tested for HIV with their consent. Treatments are available that reduce the risk of passing the infection on to the baby. You should also know that it takes up to three months from the time of infection before a blood test will show the virus.

Over the past decade there has been a large increase in the number of aboriginal people living with HIV in Canada. Although aboriginal people (Inuit, Metis and First Nations) make up 2.8 per cent of Canada’s overall population they accounted for 5.5 per cent of all HIV infections in 1999.

Aboriginal Canadians made up 8.8 per cent of all new diagnoses in that same year. The proportion of aboriginal AIDS cases has increased eight-fold in the last decade. Enough stats — you get the picture!

HIV is on the rise and there is potential for disaster in the North. Inuit initiatives such as Pauktuutit’s colourful, flavourful condom campaign are essential if we are to avert a crisis.

I cannot write about HIV and AIDS without remembering and sending hope to the people of Africa who are already being devastated by the disease. Rates of infection there are sky-high, medications to control the virus are not affordable, and millions of children have been orphaned as their parents die of AIDS.

In North America, there are some incredible medications to control the progress of HIV. But make no mistake — there is no cure for HIV. Even people who look well and feel great can be infected with HIV and with every sexual encounter the virus can be passed along. Universal precautions — condoms for everyone!

Avoid casual, anonymous, unprotected sexual experiences. And intravenous drugs are deadly too. It isn’t worth it. One little mistake could cost you your life.

Be a latex lover. Wear that condom. Free condoms are available at public health offices, health centres and hospitals everywhere.

For more information see a nurse or doctor or check out these organizations:

• Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network
www.caan.ca
1-888-285-2226

• Canadian Inuit HIV/AIDS network (Pauktuutit)
1-613-238-3977
cihan@pauktuutit.on.ca

• HIV treatment/information services
1-800-263-1638
www.catie.ca

• Voices of Positive Women
1-416-324-8703

Confidential questions or comments? Send an email to nunatsiaqsexed@hotmail.com or drop a note by the news office.

Want to read past Sex Ed columns? Go to www.nunatsiaq.com and click on columns. Next week: Syphilis

Madeleine Cole is a physician at the Baffin Regional Hospital.