HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that is passed person to person through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids. You can get HIV in a number of ways, including:
- Unprotected sex
- Sharing drug equipment (needles, spoons, filters, pipes, snorting devices, cookers, etc.)
- Tattooing or body piercing with unsterilized equipment
- Through breast milk.
If left untreated, HIV can make the immune system so weak that the body is vulnerable to serious infections and some types of cancers. This advanced stage is called AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
Prevention: PrEP and PEP
Highly effective treatments for HIV are available, so most people living with HIV never develop AIDS and live long, full lives. When someone is on successful treatment, they cannot pass HIV to their sex partners.
Medications that reduce the risk of getting HIV are also available, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
PrEP is taken before a potential HIV exposure. PEP is taken after a potential HIV exposure. Different types of PrEP and PEP are available, but they all work to prevent HIV.
Anyone who is sexually active or who shares injection equipment can benefit from these medications. Check your risk level by completing the assessment at ontarioprep.ca/assessment.
If you think PrEP/PEP is right for you, you have options to access it:
In-Person Options
- Ask your family doctor or nurse practitioner to prescribe PrEP or PEP for you.
- Elevate NWO: Call 807-345-1516 to self-refer.
- HART Hub: Call 807-695-5033 to self-refer or walk in to the Hub at 409 George St in Thunder Bay.
Online Options
The TBDHU Sexual Health Clinic DOES NOT currently prescribe or provide PrEP/PEP.
Testing
Some people can be living with HIV and not know that they even have it. They could spread the infection to another person unknowingly. This is why HIV testing is so important.
The Sexual Health Clinic at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit provides:
- HIV testing, which can be done anonymously,
- counseling, and
- referrals to community and health care services.
Point of care tests are also available.
Anonymous HIV Testing is private and confidential. Please visit the Sexual Health Clinic page to book an appointment.
HIV Self-Test Kits
HIV self-test kits are not available at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. To access HIV self-test kits, visit:
For Further Information
Call the Sexual Health Clinic at (807) 625-5976
or toll-free: 1-888-294-6630