The Ministry of Health launched a new awareness campaign encouraging people at risk to get tested and access treatment. The campaign includes three YouTube videos.

In the video below Nicole talks about her reaction to first finding out she is HIV positive, how it affected her partner, how she has discovered new hope, and encourages others to get tested because there will be support for them. 

Watch YouTube videos
Nicole - Finding Hope after HIV diagnosis

Chief Ahenakew talking about community support

Nurse Faye talking about HIV on reserve  

Dr. Stuart Skinner talks about how HIV positive people who are in treatment can have much healthier, longer lives

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

Blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk of infected persons can carry the HIV. The virus can pass from one person to another through these infected body fluids.

HIV is not transmitted in fluids such as sweat, saliva or tears. It is also not transmitted by everyday contact with people, such as hugging, shaking hands or eating meals with, or prepared by, people infected with HIV. You cannot get the virus from telephones, toilet seats, swimming pools, hot tubs, water fountains or by sharing glasses or dishes.

The HIV antibody test is a blood test that tells you if you have been infected with HIV.

The body makes antibodies in response to infections. HIV antibodies can usually be found in the blood within 12 weeks after you are infected with HIV.

If the test is positive, you are infected with HIV and can pass the virus to others. The test does not tell when you became infected or when you will get sick.

A negative test means you are not infected. It usually takes up to 12 weeks for your body to make HIV antibodies. A test done before 12 weeks may not show correct results.

You will be told if you need another test.

Anyone can become infected with HIV regardless of:

• age
• sex
• race or ethic origin

If you are tested, and you do not have HIV, you can protect yourself from future infection.

If you do have HIV, you can find out how to keep yourself healthy longer and how to protect your partner or partners. It is important that you are tested early, before you become sick. Many people who are tested early during HIV infection continue to live healthy lives.