1. HIV/AIDS
Things to know

2. At least one Aboriginal person per day in Canada contracts HIV
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3. Close to 50 % of the new infections in our communities are our women
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4. Close to 30 % of these new infections are our young people
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5. The Basics
H uman I mmunodeficiency V irus A cquired I mmuno D eficiency S yndrome

6. Stages of Infection
Contact: Virus multiplies quickly … = HIGHLY Infectious Three Month Window Period: HIV not detectable in tests (test for anti-bodies) Asymptomatic: Virus slows down, gets comfortable in body, there are no symptoms Symptomatic: AIDS diagnosis … vulnerable to other infections

7. Opportunistic Infection
An infection that gets into the body because the immune system can’t fight it off. For example:
PCP Pneumonia
Yeast Infections incl. Thrush
Tuberculosis

8. Transmission … >The virus needs an opening into the body >
Blood to Blood - through shared use of Intravenous Drug Use paraphernalia – including, syringes, water, spoons, cotton filters, and crack pipes
Sexual Fluids – semen, vaginal fluids, etc
Vertical Transmission - during pregnancy or birth or through Breast Milk when the mother is HIV positive
Once inside the body, the virus attaches itself to the white blood cells and begins making copies of itself and taking over the immune system

9. Blood to Blood
Although HIV can live outside the body for up to 2 hours it has to have perfect conditions – otherwise plain old oxygen will kill the virus usually within less than a minute.
Needles are a vacuum that help the virus live outside of the body – no air within the vacuum.

10. Exchange of Sexual Fluids
Anal Intercourse
Vaginal intercourse
Oral sex

11. Anal Intercourse
Inner lining of the rectum is one cell thick- vulnerable to tearing
Lack of natural sexual lubricant in rectum
Mucosal membrane of the head of the penis is more porous than regular skin – vulnerable to virus

12. Women’s Risk in Vaginal Intercourse
If under 16, friction can cause small tears in vaginal walls and cervix
Breaking of hymen puts young women at risk because more white blood cells to come and fix the tear
Semen will stay in vagina for up to five days

13. Men’s Risk in Vaginal Intercourse
The man is exposed to the woman’s vaginal fluids during intercourse
An uncircumcised penis will hold the fluids in the head of the penis longer – chance of infection

14. Oral Sex – Fellatio / Blow Job – Receivers Risk
Low Risk - because there needs to be an active blood flow in the mouth and the body clots in the mouth fairly quickly

15. Oral Sex – Fellatio / Blow Job – Givers Risk
When there are no cuts or loose teeth the risk is low
If there are open cuts and open access through the gums, the risk increases
If the individual has a cold and swallows, the risk increases because there are white blood cells present that are working to deal with the cold infection

16. Oral Sex – Cunnilingus – Giving Head to a Woman
If done correctly (by stimulating the clitoris as opposed to the vaginal opening), the person giving head is not in direct contact with vaginal fluids – the risk is negligible (extremely low).
The woman receiving head is at negligible risk with a barrier (dam or condom)
During a woman’s Moon time – the risk increases to low
If done properly – reword

17. Oral Sex - Rimming Licking the anus
Negligible risk unless anus has cuts or tears and the person licking has cuts on lips or gums
Without a barrier (protection), there is still a high risk of getting an STI – gonorrhea, syphilis, Hep A & B, or a digestive tract infection

18. What will increase risk?
Having a Sexually Transmitted Infection, or Yeast infection = More White Blood Cells are present
Douching – the body needs to replace natural mucous = more white blood cells

19. Sex with No Risk Kissing or quick kisses Body rubbing
Spanking or biting – no break in skin
Giving hickies – no break in skin
Massage
Sex with your clothes on

20. NO RISK in Casual Contact with someone who is living with HIV / AIDS
It is safe to:
Be in a sweat or sauna together
Swim together
Brush or braid someone’s hair
Wipe someone’s tear
Share clothing
Hug
Share a drink – but you can get a cold
Be in a talking circle

21. Vertical Transmission
During pregnancy/birth - One in four babies (25%) will get HIV if the mother is HIV positive
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22. Vertical Transmission
Ontario has an opt-in HIV Testing protocol with prenatal (pregnant) women – meaning that you will be asked to take an HIV test by the doctor upon finding out you are pregnant.
If HIV positive, a woman can take medications before (if they already know their HIV status) and during the pregnancy after the first trimester to reduce transmission to baby (below 1%), but consultation with HIV specialist is important to make sure that the medications chosen are safe for the baby
Caesarian section are offered
Breastfeeding not recommended as there is HIV present in breast milk and there is the possibility of the mom developing cracked nipples and blood passing to the child through this avenue

23. Prevention
Try not to share needles or crack pipes or other drug paraphernalia, as well as tattooing & piercing equipment
Use condoms
Use dams
Do not breastfeed baby if mother is HIV positive
Use condoms on your sex toys and clean them after each use

24. Paraphernalia
There is the risk of contracting HIV through shared use of crack pipes, spoons, cookers, cotton filters, water, and elastic bands.
Though HIV will not survive on these items for very long, HEP C WILL.
If you choose to use – practice harm reduction – DO NOT SHARE YOUR EQUIPMENT

25. Tattooing & Piercing Equipment
Do not share equipment
Always go to a professional they are bound by law to provide you with sterilized equipment and new needles

26. Prevention – Male Condoms
Check to make sure your condoms have not expired
Make sure package bubbles – means it hasn’t been damaged
Move condom to side and open - never use teeth to tear
Squeeze the tip (looks like a hat), so that ejaculate won’t burst it open
Roll all the way down the shaft of the penis
When done, take condoms off while still semi-hard, tie in a knot and put in tissue for disposal in the garbage

27. Female Condom Gives the woman the power to put on protection
Can insert before you even start
Inner ring is supposed to be anchored to the cervix like a diaphragm
Outer ring may stimulate clitoris during intercourse
Can use for an entire evening of pleasure

28. Female Condom /FC2 & Dam
Pic of dams INSERT

29. Dams Are used to cover the vaginal or anal area during oral sex
It is recommended to put water based lube on the body and then the dam on top – it will increase sensation for the person
Use only once
Use saran wrap if it is the only thing available

30. Lubricate!
Sometimes a person is a little dehydrated and the body might not produce as much natural lube no matter how turned on s/he is. It’s okay to use lube.
Lube will reduce friction and tears
Always use water based lube with condoms
– oil-based products i.e. Vaseline, will break down latex condoms

31. Living with HIV and AIDS
Is about managing one’s health
Eating nutritious food
Minimizing stress on the body, mind and spirit
Using substances in moderation to keep immune system as strong as possible
Living each day as it comes

32. Contracting HIV Does not mean one is a bad or irresponsible person
It just means that the individual has come into contact with another person who has HIV

33. What might put us at risk?
Liking someone or falling in love and wanting intimacy
Substance use/abuse, being under the influence of substances may loosen your inhibitions – causing us to put ourselves at risk
Trusting even though you don’t know your partner’s HIV status
People not knowing that they are positive – WHY? … because they have not been tested
Effects of Abuse – physical, sexual, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual
Not feeling like we have the power to say “NO”
Being unprepared for sexual experiences – always carry protection
High rate of travel between communities – from the rez to urban centres, province to province, etc

34. If you have any questions please ask
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