Most STIs are passed through sexual contact, but some like hepatitis B and C can also be spread through blood. This means sharing things like needles, syringes, straws for snorting, or even pipes can … Read Full Answer
Tag: HIV
I was recently diagnosed with HIV and I'm feeling overwhelmed. Are there specific foods I should eat or avoid to help keep my immune system strong?
That’s a really important question, and it’s completely valid to be thinking about your nutrition right now. Many people living with HIV wonder how their diet might affect their health, especially in the early stages after diagnosis. … Read Full Answer
What are the window periods for each reportable STBBI (specific to MB) - syphilis, HIV, Hep B, Hep C, and CT/GC?
Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) testing methods can vary depending on where you live. In Manitoba, infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are reportable. This means that if you test positive, your results go to the … Read Full Answer
I had erotic massage hand job and kissing is this a risk for any still. No penetrative sex. Lady was wearing her underwear
It sounds like you don’t have to worry about getting HIV based on what you’ve described. HIV transmission requires a direct pathway for the virus to travel from … Read Full Answer
I tested myself for HIV using the take home HIV test. 2 dots appeared, which means I am HIV positive. What do I do now?
You’ve come to the right place, we can help you with the next step. Getting a positive result on an HIV test may be a shock. You are not alone, there is help. With treatment, care and support you can live long and well with HIV. Here is what you need to know … Read Full Answer
How can I address people who are close-minded and start to talk about how they think that an HIV positive person (detectable or undetectable) is dangerous?
Scientific evidence has confirmed that most people with HIV who take antiretroviral treatment (ART) as prescribed can suppress the HIV virus in their body. When an HIV positive person maintains an undetectable level of HIV through medical care and medication, they cannot transmit HIV to someone else sexually, with or without the use of a condom.
Close-mindedness like you describe is a form of HIV stigma. Stigma is defined as negative attitudes … Read Full Answer
I had anal sex with a condom, should I be worried about HIV?
Whether you used internal condoms or external condoms, they are both very effective in preventing HIV and many other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) … Read Full Answer
Last week I went to an erotic massage parlour. I got a handjob (and she stayed clothed). I am not circumcised and had a razor cut at the base of my penis. I know that hand-to-genital contact is zero risk (HIV has to come from somewhere!) It wasn’t a major bleed, but she had a cut on her hand on the palm which I saw after the fact. It was hard for me to check my penis for blood.
We understand that situations like these can be tough to navigate, and we’re happy to help. … Read Full Answer
I recently did 2 INSTI HIV self-tests within the past 6 months and it was negative both times. I was told by a few people that if the test is negative after 12 weeks and done properly there's no need to follow up for a lab confirmation. I waited 90 days after my first INSTI test was negative and the 2nd one was also negative. Am I all good or do I need a lab confirmation?
Congratulations on using the INSTI HIV self-test. This quick and simple tool is one more way that Canadians access to find out their HIV status. A self-test … Read Full Answer
Is PEP ever recommended if someone is already on PrEP?
Pre Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP is a highly effective tool in preventing HIV if taken consistently and correctly. As long as someone is adherent to daily dosing of PrEP … Read Full Answer
I recently started dating someone who is HIV+. My anxiety is high and I’m not sure what to do.
Getting to know your partner’s HIV status takes away some of the fear and it’s normal to be anxious in these situations. Dating an HIV-positive person is … Read Full Answer
Can I get syphilis or HIV from a hand job from a parlour? She was fully clothed and didn’t touch herself. Should I get tested for STDs?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are not commonly passed through hand jobs (having someone masturbate your penis with their hands) and fingering (having someone masturbate your vulva with their hands.) … Read Full Answer
4 years ago I had multiple unprotected sex with hiv+ men (who is not on medication) then few weeks after I came up with sore throat, rash, headache, runny nose which all cleared up except for the runny nose that later turns to chronic sinusitis and ever since my health never been the same. I did 4 HIV tests (4th generation antigen antibody test) 1 came back indeterminate and the other 3 negative. Could HIV 4th gen give false negative after 4 years?
Good to know you got the tests done. Labs across Canada use 4th generation tests for screening HIV, which means they are 99 percent accurate by 6 weeks after infection. These tests are highly accurate and … Read Full Answer
What is prep? I heard it’s a medication to prevent HIV, is that true?
I am glad you’ve heard about PrEP, one of the HIV prevention tools available in Canada. PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and is a tool for HIV negative people who are at risk of HIV infection to reduce their risk of becoming infected.
PrEP involves taking anti-HIV medications (antiretrovirals) on a daily basis. … Read Full Answer
I heard that there is self testing for HIV available in Canada? Can you tell me if I need a prescription to get it.
Self-testing for HIV is now approved for use in Canada. It is a rapid self-testing kit, and they are not yet … Read Full Answer
Whats the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV and AIDS are not the same thing, but people often confuse the terms.
HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus … Read Full Answer
I have never been tested for sexually transmitted infections. What do I need to know?
We’re glad you asked. We recently created a short video to answer this exact question! We recommend routine sexual health testing for everyone who is sexually active or uses injection … Read Full Answer
Someone told me that when you're injecting meth, if you let someone else inject you (instead of doing it for yourself) that it's riskier for HIV and Hep C. If that's true, why?
This is a useful question, as people who are not sure how to inject for themselves, may have friends or other people inject them. Research has shown that this may increase the risk … Read Full Answer
