What is HIV? The Basics

HIV, AIDS, Transmission, and Common Questions.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. 4,288 women are living with diagnosed HIV in Ontario.

Once HIV enters the body, it can begin to weaken the immune system; however, with advances in HIV treatment, people can live long and healthy lives with HIV. Without thoughtful HIV treatment, a person’s immune system can become weaker, and they can become sick from various infections, often referred to as “opportunistic infections.”

OHESI: A Snapshot of HIV Diagnoses and the HIV Care Cascade among Women in Ontario (2022)

There is no known cure for HIV; however, with advances in science and thoughtful HIV care, HIV can be managed like any other chronic illness and most people with HIV stay healthy.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

If HIV is not diagnosed and treated, the immune system generally becomes weaker over time. Eventually, a person with HIV can become sick with a life-threatening infection (known as an opportunistic infection), leading to an AIDS diagnosis. In other words, an AIDS diagnosis requires two things:

The presence of HIV in the body
An opportunistic infection

Common Questions About HIV

How is HIV transmitted?

How is HIV most commonly transmitted amongst women?

Are some women more impacted than others?

Due to social and structural determinants of health,^{1, 2} some populations of women are at higher risk for contracting HIV and face structural barriers impacting health outcomes. Populations who are more impacted by HIV risk include:

African, Caribbean, and Black women
Women who use drugs or substances
Indigenous women
Trans women, 2-Spirit and Non-Binary people
Women who are/have experienced violence
Women who have been/are incarcerated

Click here to learn more.

^{1. World Health Organization. Social determinants of health [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; n.d.}

^{2. Solar O, Irwin A. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health. Social Determinants of Health Dis- cussion Paper 2 (Policy and Practice). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010.}

Where can I learn more about HIV?

What are the numbers?

Why is HIV a women’s health issue?

Risk for HIV among women in Ontario is closely linked to a variety of social determinants of health.

"A woman-centred approach to healthcare is one that consciously adopts the perspectives of women, their families and communities. This means that health services see women as active participants in, as well as beneficiaries of, trusted health systems that respond to women’s needs, rights and preferences in humane and holistic ways."

The World Health Organization, 2017

Community Voices

Our work is always informed by the lived experiences of women.

Illustration of a green ivy plant with detailed leaves and a twisting vine on a white background.

Close-up of a bright yellow sunflower with green stem against a blurred background.

"Wellness requires connection to others, like really connecting with people and being part of a community."

- Woman’s Voice from Kingston

Close-up of a blooming pink rose with dark green leaves in the background.

“Healthcare should be designed based on women’s lived experiences. People should be listening to [women]. There isn’t enough of that.”

- Woman’s Voice from Toronto

Close-up of a vibrant red poppy flower with a dark center, set against a blurred background of more poppies.

“Promote through people with lived experience - This is how it changed my perspective. Talking to women in community and hearing about their lives. Seeing healthy POZ women - I learned best from talking to POZ women.”

- Woman’s Voice from Thunder Bay