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What is AIDS?
- AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
- AIDS is the advanced stage of the disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
- The virus attacks and destroys the body’s immune system, the system that protects our bodies from diseases. Without protection of the immune system, people with AIDS suffer from deadly infections and cancers.
 A person infected with HIV does not look any different and may not have any symptoms for a long time (10-15 years).
You or your partner can get the AIDS virus (HIV) through:
- Unprotected sex
- Sharing dirty needles and works (needles, syringes, spoons, water)
- Infected blood or blood products
Your baby and the AIDS virus (HIV)
- If you are infected with HIV, it does not mean you will automatically pass it on to your child.
- Up to 75% of babies born to women infected with HIV don’t develop the virus.
- Many women do not even know they have the AIDS virus (HIV)
or that it can be passed on to their infant during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Testing for AIDS
- A simple blood test can tell if someone has the AIDS virus (HIV).
- If the test is negative, it means the person is probably not infected - however, it can take 12-14 weeks after exposure to the virus to show positive results on a test.
- If the test is positive, it means the person has been infected with the virus and could pass the virus on to others.
- It is very important for all pregnant women to get tested because medicines are now available for a mother to take that may reduce the risk of spreading the AIDS virus (HIV) to her baby.
If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, you can get tested:
- At your doctor’s office
- At your local health unit
For more information:
- Call the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 474-1400 or 1-800- 563-2808 to speak to a Public Health unit
- The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: HIV Testing in Pregnancy - http://www.sogc.org/health/pregnancy-hiv_e.asp
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