{"id":45260,"date":"2024-11-21T20:27:28","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T20:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whai.ca\/?page_id=45260"},"modified":"2025-06-02T16:45:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T16:45:05","slug":"qu-est-ce-que-le-vih","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/whai.ca\/fr\/about-hiv\/what-is-hiv\/","title":{"rendered":"Qu'est-ce que le VIH?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

What is HIV? The Basics<\/h1>\r\n

HIV, AIDS, Transmission, and Common Questions.<\/p>\r\n

Learn More <\/a><\/p>\r\n

What is HIV?<\/h2>\r\n

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. 4,288\u00a0women<\/strong> are living with diagnosed HIV in Ontario.<\/p>\r\n

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.”<\/p>\r\n

OHESI: A Snapshot of HIV Diagnoses and the HIV Care Cascade among Women<\/strong> in Ontario (2022)<\/a><\/p>\r\n

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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.<\/p>\r\n

What is AIDS?<\/h2>\r\n

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.<\/p>\r\n

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:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  1. The presence of HIV in the body<\/li>\r\n
  2. An opportunistic infection<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Common Questions About HIV<\/h2>\r\n

    More on HIV Prevention <\/a> More on HIV Testing <\/a> More on HIV Treatment & Care <\/a><\/p>\r\n

    How is HIV transmitted?<\/h3>\r\n

    HIV is transmitted when an adequate amount of HIV from an HIV-positive person gets into an HIV-negative person’s body. Only five body fluids can contain enough HIV to infect someone else:<\/p>\r\n

    \u2022 Blood
    \u2022 Semen
    \u2022 Vaginal Fluid
    \u2022 Anal Fluid
    \u2022 Breast Milk<\/p>\r\n

    How is HIV most commonly transmitted amongst women?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

    In Ontario, women<\/strong> more commonly contract HIV through sexual activities with someone who is living with HIV, or with someone who has an identified risk for HIV, or sharing drug use equipment with someone living with HIV or who has identified risks for HIV.<\/p>\r\n

    Many women<\/strong> who are diagnosed have not reported a risk category.<\/p>\r\n

    HIV Diagnoses in Ontario (2020) ohesi.ca<\/a><\/p>\r\n

    Are some women more impacted than others?<\/h3>\r\n

    Due to social and structural determinants of health,1, 2<\/sup>\u00a0some populations of women<\/strong> are at higher risk for contracting HIV and face structural barriers impacting health outcomes. Populations who are more impacted by HIV risk include:<\/p>\r\n