The Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the body’s immune system, leaving it unable to fight off infections and disease (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2007).

HIV transmission

HIV can be spread through contact with an infected person’s body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, or blood, including menstrual blood (AIDS Vancouver, 2005). The most common modes of transmission are unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, sharing of needles, or during pregnancy and birth. HIV can also be spread during oral sex, or by sharing sex toys, razors, or tooth brushes. Individuals who engage in anal sex are at increased risk of HIV transmission because the anus and rectum tear more easily than the vaginal lining (AIDS Vancouver, 2005). Saliva, urine, and tears cannot transmit the virus unless they are mixed with blood (Health Canada, 2003). According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “You can only get HIV by having the virus enter your blood stream” (2007, p.24). Therefore, activities such as cuddling and sharing toilet seats will not spread the infection.

HIV prevalence in Canada

According to Offer, Grinstead, Goldstein, Mamary, Alvarado, Euren, and Woods (2007), those individuals most at risk in Canada are homosexual males, intravenous (IV) drug users, and individuals who have unprotected sex. The Testing and Referral American Family Physician Journal (2004) stated those with current sexually transmitted infections (STI) have a higher likelihood of acquiring HIV. Not only are these individuals engaging in high risk sexual activity, but inflammatory STIs, such as gonorrhea, can break down genital tissue barriers increasing the receptor site’s availability to the HIV virus (Gallant). Ball and Bindler affirmed “the adolescent who acquires an STI has a 40% chance of acquiring another STI within a year, especially if gonorrhea is the first infection” (2006, p.1227)

• In 2005, 60 160 Canadians tested positive for HIV. Of those 45 690 were male. This statistic does not include the 20 353 people diagnosed with AIDS (AIDS Vancouver, 2005). This number only represents the people who chose to be tested. There are many people who do not get tested, partly because they feel they are not part of the high-risk population.

• Studies indicate that most people