So much has been said about AIDS but much
is misunderstood – such as whose illness is it anyway? AIDS does
not belong to any one sex, age, race or country.
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is spread through direct
contact with blood and bodily fluids. The virus can be passed on during
unprotected sex and while sharing needles or by receiving blood from
an infected person. You can have the HIV virus and not even know it
- not feel one bit sick. Many women with HIV discover it only after
their children are found to have the virus.
If you find out about HIV infection before pregnancy, you can get information
on choices about birth control and about having a baby. During pregnancy, there
are treatments that can cut the risk of passing on the virus to your baby.
Not my problem?
“Not my problem” should not be your first response to a caution about
HIV and AIDS, unless you have read the information below and tests have confirmed
you are safe to take the next step toward pregnancy. Know your risks for HIV
and ask yourself key questions that will let you enter into pregnancy worry-free.
Risky business
HIV attacks a person’s immune system. This makes it hard to fight infections.
But if you have HIV, you may not have symptoms. And there is a 25% chance that
a mother with untreated HIV can pass the infection to her baby. To know whether
you need to be concerned about being infected, answer these statements below:
An infected woman can spread HIV
to her baby during pregnancy and delivery.
•
More and more Canadian women are
becoming infected with HIV. Canadian women in their childbearing
years are at the greatest risk of becoming infected with HIV.
•
A high number of lifetime sexual
partners can put a person at greater risk for developing HIV and
other sexually transmitted infections – but even people with
only 1 sexual partner can be at risk.
•
Little knowledge about your partner’s
sexual history and health may put you at risk for infection.
•
Having another sexually transmitted disease
such as chlamydia or herpes can increase your risk of also being
infected with HIV.
•
Condom use offers important infection
protection to people having sex.
•
Injection drug users are at greater
risk for HIV. Using a clean (sterile) needle each time and not
sharing needles can make it safer.
If you responded yes to all statements, you are protecting your own health and
taking action to create a healthier pregnancy in the future. Great!
The bodyguard
If you answered “no” or “not sure” to any of the above
statements, think about taking one or more of the following actions to stay as
healthy as possible:
1
I will talk with my current partner.
2
I will talk to any partner about past practices and my desire to practice safer sex.
3
I will make appointments to discuss HIV testing with my health care provider or at the sexual health clinic.
4
I will ask my partner to talk to a health care provider or call the sexual health clinic.
5
I will arrange to get clean needles and not share with anyone.
For years, before giving birth, women have been screened for hepatitis B, syphilis,
and rubella (German measles). Voluntary HIV testing is also offered to women
who are planning a pregnancy or who are already pregnant. You have the choice
to get HIV tests ordered, using your name or not. It is important to know that
you can get tested any time. But before pregnancy or early in pregnancy are the
best times to take steps to protect both you and your unborn baby.
You do not have to give your name if you want to be tested for HIV. Anonymous
testing is available.
For help close to home, contact:
Motherisk, HIV and HIV Treatment in Pregnancy: 1-888-246-5840 or www.motherisk.org
Main Line (information about needle exchange programs and STDs and injection drug use): 1-800-686-7544
