What's HIV, and how do I get tested?

HIV is an infection transferred through certain bodily fluids. There's no cure, but you can live a long, healthy life with treatment.

This article is the first in our series about HIV. Read our second article: What do I do if I test positive for HIV?

What happens if you have HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks your immune system, leaving your body vulnerable to other infections. There is no cure for HIV, but with treatment, you can live a long, healthy life.

If untreated, it can develop into a more advanced stage of the disease called AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). It’s very important to seek treatment if you have HIV.

How do you get HIV?

Anyone can get HIV. There are still a lot of misunderstandings about how you can get HIV.

HIV is transmitted through body fluids such as:

Blood
Semen (including pre-cum)
Rectal/vaginal fluids
Breast/chest milk

The most common mode of HIV transmission is through vaginal or anal sex without a condom. Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment when using drugs can also increase your risk of HIV.

You cannot get HIV by:

Talking, shaking hands, working or eating with someone who has HIV
Hugs or kisses
Coughs or sneezes
Swimming in pools
Toilet seats or water fountains
Bed sheets or towels
Forks, spoons, cups or food
Being stung or bitten by insects or animals

Is HIV preventable?

Yes, it is. There is a good chance you won’t get it if you:

Practice safer sex, including using condoms and other barrier methods
Don’t share needles or other drug equipment
Use preventative medications such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

Learn more about PrEP and where to get it in Ontario from OntarioPrep.ca and Freddie.

How can I get tested for HIV?

In many cases, HIV is transmitted soon after someone gets HIV, even before a person knows that they are living with HIV.

Keep in mind that HIV can take up to 6 weeks to be detectable in your blood if you are having a standard laboratory test (blood collected from your vein and tested in a laboratory). HIV can take up to 12 weeks to be detectable in blood by a rapid/point of care (POC) test.

There are three ways to get tested for HIV; you can:

get a nominal test (using your name),
get an anonymous test (not using your name),
use an HIV self-test kit (see below for more information about self-testing).

The main difference between getting a nominal or anonymous test is that your name will automatically be reported to your local Public Health Unit if you test positive nominally.

You might need an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card or number to get a nominal test. Anonymous testing is only offered at designated testing sites. You do not need an OHIP card or number for an anonymous test.

To find HIV testing sites, including anonymous testing sites, you can contact the free, anonymous and confidential Sexual Health Infoline Ontario:

Phone: toll-free 1-800-668-2437 or local 416-392-2437 (English, French, and some other languages)
Website: includes eChat (English only)

You may wish to read more about HIV testing and reporting to Public Health in Ontario; this guide was created by Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) in partnership with the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO). The guide includes details about what gets reported to Public Health authorities if you test positive for HIV. The guide also provides information about reducing the possibility of your name being reported to Public Health authorities if you test positive for HIV anonymously and access HIV-related medical care.

Recently, some people have been able to get HIV self-testing kits that allow them to test on their own or with the help of others, such as community organizations. If you test positive for HIV using a self-testing kit, you will still need to have a nominal or anonymous test to confirm your results before you can get medical care for HIV.

Visit HIV Testing Ontario to find out how to get a self-test kit. For more information about HIV self-testing, you can look at this document from HALCO.

Keep in mind that standard prenatal care in Ontario includes an HIV test in early pregnancy. Learn more about routine tests during your pregnancy.

Do I have to ask my parents first to take a test?

No, but you do have to give your informed consent to have the test done.

To recap, check out this Instagram post by the International Student Project or view the images below.

image of two young men sitting close to each other, one is showing the other something on his phone and the other is looking at the phone screen and smiling. Above them in big letters it says, "Am I at risk for HIV? What can I do to prevent infection?"
Image with a white background and the HIV symbol with text that reads "What is HIV?" followed by a definition and then another heading below that reads "How is it transmitted?" followed by the answer.

image with a white background, the HIV symbol, and big letters in pink reading "U=U". Above this the text reads, "if your partner is HIV+, on treatment, and has an undetectable viral load, they cannot transmit the virus to you. This concept is called undetectable = unstransmittable, also known as U=U"

white background with two text boxes and images of pink condoms in wrapper and prescription bottles and pills. The text boxes read "How can I prevent HIV? Condoms are still the most affordable way to prevent HIV transmission" and "Preventative medications such as PrEP and PEP can also prevent HIV transmission"

white background with a small image of a pill bottle on the bottom right corner and text that reads "What is PrEP" followed by the explanation.

image with white background and pink text bubbles that show a number list with 4 steps. The title reads "how can I access PrEP?

white background with black text and an image of a pink hospital in the bottom right that wraps around the text. The title reads "What is PEP and how can I access it?" and the rest of the text answers the question

white background with big title text in pink reading "Interested in learning more about HIV prevention?" then a subheading in black states, "check out the resources below:" the options listed are PrEPclinic.ca, OntarioPrEP.ca, TheSexYouWant.ca and HQtoronto.ca

white background with black text, title reads "The International Student Project" description explains who the resources were developed by

Presented by: The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) and HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO)