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HIV is here, and so is support

In the last cou­ple of years, Man­i­to­ba has seen a great increase in new cas­es of HIV.

To pre­vent new infec­tions and ensure that peo­ple liv­ing HIV are engaged in care, there is sup­port.

What can we do to pre­vent HIV?

If you are hav­ing sex, con­doms are the best way to pro­tect against STIs, and HIV. Check out the map for a loca­tion where to find free con­doms.

If you inject drugs, use new nee­dles and drug use equip­ment every time you inject. Harm reduc­tion sup­ply dis­tri­b­u­tion sites across Win­nipeg and Man­i­to­ba can pro­vide these. Check out the map for your near­est location.

Peo­ple liv­ing with HIV can take treat­ment as pre­scribed, which can sup­press the virus to the point where it can’t be passed to sex­u­al part­ners or by shar­ing inject­ing equipment. 

Peo­ple at high risk of being exposed to HIV through sex or inject­ing drugs can take med­ica­tion called PrEP. For more infor­ma­tion, check PrEP in Man­i­to­ba.

Peo­ple who have had a recent high-risk expo­sure to HIV can take med­ica­tion called PrEP as soon as pos­si­ble and no lat­er than 72 hours after expo­sure. If you think you need PEP, go to your near­est emer­gency depart­ment right away or con­tact Nine Cir­cles at 204−940−6000 or toll-free at 1−888−305−8647 for more information.

Should I get tested? 

You should get test­ed for HIV if:

  • You and your part­ner have been sex­u­al­ly active and have not been test­ed. Health care providers can talk to you about how often you need HIV testing.
  • You know your cur­rent or past part­ner has an STI or HIV.
  • The con­dom breaks or you have sex with­out one.
  • You or your part­ner has shared nee­dles or oth­er injec­tion equipment.
  • You have been or think you might have been forced to have sex.
  • If you think you have been exposed to HIV, seek an HIV test right away.

HIV test­ing is sim­ple, easy, and free, and there are options for you to test how­ev­er fits you best. For instance, in some loca­tions you can learn the result right away with HIV Point-of-Care test­ing. In most cas­es, health care providers may take or send you to a lab for a blood sam­ple.

If you are seek­ing HIV test­ing in your area, please check for your near­est clin­ic.

How is HIV treated?

HIV treat­ment can be as sim­ple as one pill per day. It allows peo­ple liv­ing with HIV to live a long healthy life, and not pass HIV to their sex­u­al part­ners. Ask your ser­vice provider about treatment.

For more infor­ma­tion on HIV treat­ment in Man­i­to­ba.

Where do I find more infor­ma­tion about STIs and HIV?

Search or ask anony­mous ques­tions about HIV and STB­BIs at www​.sexfriend​lymb​.ca.