Questions to ask

Getting Tested for HIV

Never be afraid to ask.

When it comes to HIV and your health in general, there are no silly questions. We have gathered together some of the most commonly asked questions to help calm your fears and start you off on your information journey.

HIV FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • What are HIV & AIDS?
  • Do I need to get tested? Where can I get tested?
  • Where did HIV come from?
  • Is there a cure for HIV?
  • What is the difference between HIV-1 and HIV-2?
  • How is HIV transmitted?
  • Can I get HIV from casual contact?
  • Is the blood supply safe?
  • Can mosquitoes transmit HIV?
  • Can I get HIV from my doctor or dentist?
  • Are condoms effective in preventing HIV transmission?
  • Is abstinence the only way to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV? (STI)?
  • Can I get HIV from unprotected oral sex?
  • What if I have another Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)?
  • How is HIV transmitted through injecting drug use?
  • How can the risk of HIV infection from injecting drug use be reduced?
  • We all know how HIV is spread, so why continue to spend money on prevention?

The above is by no means a comprehensive list. There are probably a number of other questions that you have. Your physician, local HIV/AIDS hotline, or local ASO or HIV clinic can answer others on a more personal level. Never be shy to ask, because there is nothing they haven’t heard before. They are not there to judge—they are there to help you through your journey and provide you with support and information. They understand.

You have One Life. Your life. And we are here for you to find the help you need to live your life to its fullest.

- “Mon livre de lit” : pour une sexualité plaisir en santé, vol. 1, published by Action Séro-Zéro, Bibliothèque nationale du Québec, 2004.

- UNAIDS, a United Nations program that takes global action against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Public Health Agency of Canada

http://aids.about.com/od/toptenlists/tp/hivmyths.htm
http://www.avert.org/canstatg.htm
http://www.unaids.org/en/CountryResponses/Regions/NAmerica_WCEurope.asp

Quick tips

  • When choosing a doctor (if you don’t already have one, ask friends if they can recommend someone). It’s important to feel comfortable. Do you prefer a man or woman? Do you prefer someone direct or more personable?

HIV facts

  • People with HIV can look and feel well. A person with HIV can stay feeling healthy for a long time, especially if diagnosed early and treated promptly as the need arises.

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