HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health
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What is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a disease that damages a person’s immune system. The virus affects people only so the name includes the word human. Immunodeficiency means that the immune system is weak or deficient and unable to fight off infections. A virus is a small germ that reproduces itself in the body and can be passed between people in certain situations. People can live a healthy long life being HIV positive if proper treatment and care are taken.
What is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?
AIDS is the last stage of HIV. It occurs when the immune system is so weak it is unable to fight off any infections. The word acquired means receiving something from somewhere or someone else. In the case of AIDS, the HIV virus is received from the blood of an infected person. Immunodeficiency means that the immune system is weak or deficient and unable to fight off infections. Syndrome means that the disease is a collection of infections, not just one. The immune system is unable to fight these infections and this can eventually lead to death. It usually takes a long time before HIV will develop into AIDS.
How is HIV/AIDS Spread?
HIV can be transmitted through the following body fluids:
- blood
- semen
- pre-cum
- vaginal fluid
- anal fluid
- breast milk
HIV can also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, during and after delivery.
HIV can affect anyone who is exposed to infected blood and/or has engaged in a risky activity regardless of age, gender, economic background, sexual orientation, race, religion, or ethnic origin.
Risky activities that may lead to HIV infection include having unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex or by sharing of needles/rigs exposed to infected blood.
You cannot get HIV/AIDS from:
- hugging
- kissing
- holding hands
- sharing food or drink
- public washrooms
- swimming in public pools
- exposure to tears, saliva or sweat
Mothers can pass HIV on to their baby in three ways. The baby can receive the virus during pregnancy as HIV can pass through the placenta. During childbirth and delivery, the baby can be exposed to HIV positive infected blood and become infected. HIV is also present in breast milk and can be passed to the baby after birth during breastfeeding or by using breast milk.
How Do I Avoid Getting HIV?
If you choose to have sex, practice safer sex (sex with proper use of a condom from start to finish).
If you are sexually active, it is important to get tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If both partners are HIV positive, unprotected sex can also result in re-infection, also known as superinfection.
Avoid sharing needles/rigs or personal sharps, such as razors, that may be exposed to infected blood.
Use gloves when providing first aid.
Ask those using needles, e.g., tattoo artists and acupuncturists, if the needles are new.
How Do I Know if I Have HIV?
Most people with HIV do not show symptoms for several years after infection. This means that they may not know that they have been infected. Even if no symptoms are present, the virus can still be passed to other people.
Some people develop what is called acute retroviral syndrome two to four weeks after initial infection as the body tries to remove the virus from the body. Symptoms appear flu-like with a fever (fever is a temperature of higher than 38 °C/100 °F), rash, joint pains, and/or enlarged lymph nodes.
How Do I Find Out if I Have HIV?
A blood sample needs to be taken to test for HIV. The test is done to see if there are antibodies to HIV present in the blood. Antibodies are proteins in the body that try to destroy unknown bacterium or viruses. If there are antibodies it means the body knows that there is a virus present and it is trying to fight off the infection.
If the first HIV test is positive, a second test will be done to make sure the test results were right. People who have HIV but no symptoms are highly infectious and can transmit the virus to others.
Can HIV Be Cured?
There is no cure for HIV. Once people contract HIV, they will have the virus for the rest of their lives. HIV cannot be cured but there are drugs that can help those with the virus to manage the symptoms and live longer. It is recommended that treatment begin as soon as possible to lower viral loads (amount of virus present in blood). A positive test does not mean that a person has AIDS.
Can HIV/AIDS Positive Status Affect Fertility?
Research has shown that HIV may have an impact on fertility for men and women who are HIV positive.
For women, it has been suggested that HIV complications may include early menopause or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can result in pain, ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus where the fetus cannot survive) or infertility (unable to have babies).
For men, HIV may affect the ability to produce healthy sperm, which may lead to infertility.
How Will a Positive Test Result Affect the Mother and the Baby?
HIV positive women can have healthy babies. HIV positive women who do not receive treatment have a 25% chance of passing HIV to their babies. With proper care and treatment, the risk of transmission of HIV can be reduced to less than 2%. Testing for HIV during pregnancy can help women to get earlier treatment and learn how to manage their disease.
Women who are HIV positive and pregnant, or are considering getting pregnant, are faced with many challenges. It is important to find a health care professional who is supportive and knowledgeable about HIV and pregnancy. This will result in the best care being given to the mother and baby.
Can I Breastfeed if I am HIV Positive?
It is recommended that HIV positive mothers do not breastfeed their babies. There is a 25 to 50% chance that a baby can be infected with HIV from the breast milk of an infected mother.
HIV Testing
Tests for HIV detect whether HIV antibodies are present in a person’s body. Antibodies are proteins in the body that try to destroy unknown bacterium or viruses. Antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to the HIV infection being present in a person’s body.
Antibodies can take awhile to develop. For most people HIV antibodies take three months to develop. This means that people can have the virus in their bodies and still get a negative test result if they are tested within three months after being infected. For this reason, it is important for people involved in risky activities to have repeat testing. Women should be tested when they first find out they are pregnant and if at high risk, they should also be tested several times during the pregnancy.
HIV antibody testing can be done by a family doctor, at an STI clinic or at an HIV anonymous testing clinic. STI clinics and anonymous HIV testing clinics are located in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Anonymous testing clinics do not require that clients give their names. HIV testing is free.
Standard Testing
The standard primary test used in Saskatchewan is the ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). The Western Blot is also used to confirm the results. It can take several days to receive the results from this test. Both these tests are performed by using blood samples.
Point of Care Testing
HIV Point of Care (POC) testing provides results of HIV testing in a few minutes. INSTI HIV-1 Rapid Antibody Test is a new test that is being used in Saskatchewan. This test is being used in obstetric settings (women during pregnancy and delivery), in blood and bodily fluid exposures, with ill patients at risk of HIV and with patients at high risk for HIV in community settings. This test is not used for general public. As with other HIV tests, this test requires a blood sample.
Anonymous HIV Testing
Anonymous HIV testing uses a number or a code, not the person’s name. Only the person being tested will know the result. Anonymous testing is different from HIV tests performed by a person’s doctor, or certain clinics, where the HIV test results will be linked to the patient’s name. Anonymous HIV testing in Saskatchewan can be done at the following clinics:
101 15th Street East
Prince Albert SK
Phone: (306) 765-6540
2110 Hamilton Street
Regina SK
Phone: (306) 766-7779
100-310 Idylwyld Drive North
Saskatoon SK
Phone: (306) 655-4642
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Resources
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PROTECT YOUR FERTILITY: STIs AFFECT YOU TODAY AND TOMORROW - BROCHURE
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2011This brochure explains what sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are and how they can damage fertility, harm pregnancies, and new born babies. It also talks about how to avoid STIs and how to find out if you have an STI.
For a printer-friendly black and white copy of the information contained in this brochure, please see Item # 7-003 or click here to download fact sheet.
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7-003 Download
PROTECT YOUR FERTILITY: STIs AFFECT YOU TODAY AND TOMORROW - FACT SHEET
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2011This fact sheet is a duplicate of Item #7-002, listed above, but is in a printer friendly version, ideal for downloading. The fact sheet explains what Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are, and how it can damage fertility, harm pregnancies, and newborn babies. It also talks about how to avoid STIs and how to find out if you have an STI.
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PLANNING A PREGNANCY WHEN HIV POSITIVE - BROCHURE
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2011This brochure talks about caring for your body before getting pregnant and what is involved with HIV treatment during pregnancy. It also talks about getting pregnant safely and how finding a good obstetric care provider and support is important.
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PREGNANT AND DIAGNOSED WITH HIV - BROCHURE
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2011Finding out that you are HIV positive can be overwhelming and scary. Finding out you are HIV positive while you are pregnant can cause more fear and can raise questions about the impact this diagnosis will have on both you and your new baby. This brochure explains what HIV/AIDS is and how it can be treated.
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A NEW MOTHER AND HIV POSITIVE - BROCHURE
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2011Mothers who are HIV positive may face additional challenges. If you are a mother and are HIV positive, it is important to take care of yourself so that both you and your baby can stay healthy. This brochure talks about staying healthy, deciding if you should breastfeed or not, as well as information on dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety.
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7-008 Order
HIV AND PREGNANCY CARE GUIDE - GUIDE
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2011This guide covers such topics as HIV/AIDS in Saskatchewan; Modes of Transmission of HIV; HIV Testing During Pregnancy; Prenatal Algorithm; HIV Treatment and Drug Management; After-Care for Babies of HIV Positive Women; Barriers to HIV Transmission Prevention and Prenatal Care; and Motivational Approaches.
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7-501 Download
MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV: PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND EDUCATION - LITERATURE REVIEW
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2010The largest increases in HIV infection rates in Saskatchewan are found in women of childbearing age. This fact underscores the importance of: prevention information, accurate information and prenatal care for pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS and for professionals working with pregnant women. The literature review summarizes current findings and recommendations on these topics.
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Links
Links for Personal Support
AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan is a community based, not for profit organization that helps women, men, and children living with HIV/AIDS in Regina and Southern Saskatchewan.
http://www.aidsprogramssouthsask.com/home.html
AIDS Saskatoon is the primary AIDS service organization serving Central and Northern Saskatchewan. They provide outreach, education, advocacy, and support for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C (HCV).
http://www.aidssaskatoon.ca/web/
All Nations Hope AIDS Network is a network of Aboriginal people, organizations and agencies providing support and services to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families and communities who are experiencing HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.
http://www.allnationshope.ca/
Canadian AIDS Society is a national coalition of over 120 Canadian community-based organizations helping people living with or affected by HIV.
http://www.cdnaids.ca/
Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) is a national knowledge exchange broker for information related to HIV prevention and treatment, care and support for people living with and vulnerable to HIV.
http://www.catie.ca/
The Women for Positive Action initiative is a website that explores the area of women living HIV and is organized by a group of healthcare professionals, women living with HIV and community group representatives from across Canada, Europe and Latin America.
http://www.womenforpositiveaction.org/
Links for Parents
About Kids Health is developed by The Hospital for Sick Children and provides answers to questions about children’s health.
HIV and Pregnancy
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/Multilingual/AM/Pages/HIV-and-Pregnancy.aspx
HIV and Your Child
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/ConditionsandDiseases/InfectiousDiseases/Pages/HIV-and-Your-Child.aspx
HIV and Your Baby
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/Multilingual/AM/Pages/HIV-and-Your-Baby.aspx
Links for Professionals
AIDSinfo is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) project that provides information on clinical trials and medical guidelines for people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends, health care providers, scientists, and researchers.
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/
The Body: the Complete HIV/AIDS Resource is a comprehensive website with information about HIV/AIDs aimed at lowering the barriers between patients and clinicians and demystifying HIV/AIDS.
http://www.thebody.com/
Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) is a national knowledge exchange broker for information related to HIV prevention and treatment, care and support for people living with and vulnerable to HIV.
http://www.catie.ca/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides leadership in helping control the HIV/AIDS epidemic by working with partners in surveillance, research, and prevention and evaluation activities.
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/
Family Health International has developed an HIV Counseling and Testing for Youth Manual which includes information about helping young people learn about STI prevention.
www.fhi.org/NR/rdonlyres/ej65tihwf67rqvrols2jthyz6iabvzjuywyyidw5tueto4
dtrigqyf4ijbs6s62dirobbjnnil4odj/YouthVCTmanualch24.pdf
HIV Medication Guide's mission is to provide the most up-to-date information related to drug - drug interactions involving antiretroviral agents for treatment of HIV.
http://www.hivmedicationguide.com/
What Works for Women in HIV/AIDS Interventions provides a review of over 2000 articles and reviews specific to issues about women and HIV.
www.whatworksforwomen.org
Positive Approach: A Sex Positive Approach to HIV/AIDS Education - A Resource for Educators, Counsellors and Healthcare Providers.
http://pubs.cpha.ca/pdf/P3/18142e.pdf
Links for Women
About Kids Health is developed by The Hospital for Sick Children and provides answers to questions about HIV and pregnancy.
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/Multilingual/AM/Pages/HIV-and-Pregnancy.aspx
Positive Women’s Network is a partnership of women living with and affected by HIV.
http://pwn.bc.ca/
International Planned Parenthood Federation
http://www.ippf.org/en/Resources/Guides-toolkits/What+do+I+do+if+I+am+living+with+HIV+and.htm
Links for Youth
Live Positive is a Canadian site geared towards helping youth learn about and deal with HIV, providing access to resources, a message board, digital art gallery, and poetry corner.
http://www.livepositive.ca/
Positive Youth Outreach is for youth providing education and support for those living with HIV/AIDS.
http://www.actoronto.org/home.nsf/pages/positiveyouthoutreach
YouthCo is a youth-driven organization in Canada educating young people about the effects of HIV and Hepatitis C.
http://youthco.org/
AVERT is an international HIV and AIDS charity, based in the United Kingdom.
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-game.htm
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HIV and Pregnancy PowerPoint Presentations
To promote further awareness of HIV in Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute has created three PowerPoint presentations to be used to educate about HIV and Pregnancy.
If you require an electronic version in PowerPoint in order to customize your presenation, please contact Jackie Eaton at jeaton@preventioninstitute.sk.ca
Planning a Pregnancy When Living with HIV