If you're living with HIV, you're not alone. Your pharmacist is by your side to support you with advice and medications, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to help manage your condition and review treatment and adherence services with our compliance packs. Any conversations with us are private and can be conducted in-store or online.
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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized in North America in the early 1980s. It is caused by a virus known as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The World Health Organization estimates that since its discovery, it has caused over 40 million deaths worldwide, and approximately 38 million people are living with AIDS. It is estimated that around 63,000 people live with HIV in Canada, and of these, about 10% have not received a diagnosis.
HIV is more common among certain populations, such as men who have sex with men, and people who inject illicit drugs. The infection is also more common among socially disadvantaged communities.
The virus can be found in the blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk of infected people. HIV is also found in saliva, sweat, and tears, though not in high enough amounts to transmit the virus to another person. HIV does not transmit through sneezing, shaking hands, or from toilet seats or mosquito bites.
The 2 most common ways to be infected with HIV in North America are through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex and by sharing needles. Although the risk of infection is lower with oral sex, it is still important to use protection such as a dental dam (a piece of latex to cover the vagina during oral sex) or a condom. HIV can also be passed on through perinatal infection, where mothers who have HIV give the disease to the baby during birth. The risk of perinatal infection is declining with new treatments. Breastfeeding by an infected mother can also transmit HIV.
Once HIV enters the bloodstream, it takes over cells vital to the immune response, known as CD4+ lymphocytes. The virus then inserts its own genes into the cell, turning it into a miniature factory that produces more copies of the virus. Slowly, the amount of virus in the blood goes up, and the number of healthy CD4+ cells goes down. The destruction of CD4+ cells interferes with the body's ability to fight off infections, cancers, and other diseases.
Anyone can become infected with HIV — but it can be prevented. The main ways to prevent HIV infection are:
You may also consider pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), where a person who is HIV negative takes a daily dose of an HIV medication to prevent infection. If you think you've been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, ask your doctor or pharmacist about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible.
If you're taking HIV medication(s), your pharmacist can help you manage symptoms and side effects, review your medications, and more.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a daily medication that HIV-negative people can take to prevent HIV infection. Ask your pharmacist or doctor to see if PrEP is right for you.
If you think you've been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, ask your doctor or pharmacist about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible. PEP is an emergency medication that can prevent HIV infection if started quickly after exposure.
If you think you may be infected with HIV, the only way to know for sure is to be tested. Testing is voluntary and can be anonymous. Your results will remain confidential. You can be tested at your physician's office or at a sexual health clinic, many of which are run by local public health units.
HIV testing can involve 2 types of tests: a preliminary test that detects HIV antigens and antibodies, and a final confirmatory test. If the first test, which requires a blood sample, detects the virus, a second laboratory-based test is required to confirm that someone is HIV positive. However, if the rapid test is negative, then no further testing is required.
Symptoms of HIV infection appear 2 to 12 weeks after exposure. At this point the virus begins rapidly taking over immune cells in the blood. The symptoms of this phase are flu-like and include:
It is very important to take HIV medications exactly as prescribed. If you miss a dose, take less medication than you need, or take doses at the wrong time, the medication will not work as well. Ask your pharmacist how they can help you fit your medications into your day.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/HIV-AIDS
