Prevention and Testing

“Information is health and health is wealth.”

How do I prevent or lower my risk of contracting HIV and AIDs?

  • What are they? Condoms are thin pouches that keep sperm from getting into the vagina.

    What types of condoms are there?

    • condoms worn on the penis

    • condoms inserted into the vagina

    How do I use them? Condoms work by keeping semen, or other fluids, from entering the vagina.

    • you must use new external and internal condoms consistently and correctly for them to be effective

    • using water-based or silicone-based lubricants helps ensure they do not break

  • Examples include

    • oral sex

    • fingering

    • handjobs

    • mutual masturbation

    • using sex toys and not sharing them

 

What are some additional preventative options?

  • What is it? PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication used by people who are HIV negative to aid in preventing HIV. PrEP comes in pill form and must be taken as prescribed to work. The medication is to be taken before, while and after you may come into contact with HIV.

    Cost: The cost of prep can be covered under most public and some private drug plans. For seniors over 65 years old, Ontarians 24 years and younger, Ontarians enrolled in Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program, home care or community care programs, the cost of PrEP is covered. If you do not fall into any of these categories, you may be eligible for the Trillium Drug Program.

  • The PrEPStart program provides 3 months of PrEP free for people who do not have a drug plan. It allows you to start PrEP right away and gives you three months to find the drug plan that’s right for you.

    Click the link below to get more information about enrolling in the PrEPStart program.

  • What is it? PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, consists of medications used by people who may have come into contact with HIV to aid in preventing HIV. PEP should be taken as soon as possible and then everyday for 28 days. PEP acts as both a treatment and a prevention.

    When to use it:

    • After a condom breaks during sex

    • After possible transmission of fluids

    Access: Go to your local hospital ER department to get a prescription.

What are the different ways to test for HIV?

  • The standard test is typically done at a sexual health clinic, walk-in clinic or a family doctor’s office. Blood is drawn from a vein and sent to a lab where it can take up to 2 weeks to get a result.

  • This test is typically done at a sexual health clinic, walk-in clinic or a family doctor’s office. Point-of-care tests can provide results within minutes (can be given the result of the test during the same visit). This test is done with a blood sample from a finger prick. A positive result on a rapid test must be followed by a confirmatory standard test. A negative test result means no further testing needs to be done.

  • If you’re hesitant about going into a clinic to be tested, this may be the best option for you.

    This is a screening test done with a blood sample from a finger prick that works by detecting HIV antibodies. It can take between 3 and 12 weeks for the test to be able to detect antibodies from the time a person was exposed to HIV.

    A self-test can be purchased online from the manufacturer, bioLytical at https://www.insti.com/ for $34.95 + tax. This test may also be available in some pharmacies.

  • GetaKit is a study about the mail-out delivery of free HIV self-test kits in Ontario. Select a site based on where you’re located and how you identify, register and get a free test sent to you. You must be over 16 years old to participate.

Order a Test from INSTI or Order a Test from GetaKit.ca.

Before ordering a test, please review CATIE’s “How to Self-Test” page for more information.

Harm Reduction

What is harm reduction and what are my options?

The Canadian Mental Health Association defines Harm Reduction as an “evidence-based, client-centred approach” that works to lessen the social and health harms associated with substance use and addiction, without demanding people who use substances to quit.

For people who use substances, CATIE lists 2 ways to prevent HIV:

    • use your own equipment

    • swallow, snort or smoke drugs

    • new needles, syringes, filters, cookers, acidifiers, alcohol swabs, tourniquets, water, pipes, straws, etc.

Where can I find more information on harm reduction?

The Ontario Harm Reduction Network (OHRN) supports harm reduction efforts in Ontario by offering knowledge exchange, networking, and capacity-building opportunities to harm reduction service providers and agencies. The OHRN features a Resource Library for finding toolkits, websites and infographics easily.

For more information, visit OHRN.