New Cases of HIV Northern Health Says

By 250 News

Prince George - Northern Health’s north west health service delivery area (HSDA) continues to experience new cases of HIV infection among at-risk people, particularly those involved directly or indirectly with the sex trade, and/or injection drug use.  Northern Health has issued a public advisory, encouraging anyone who may have been at risk to be tested for HIV (which causes AIDS).

“We know there are behaviours that increase a person’s risk of becoming infected with HIV, such as injection drug use or participation in the sex trade,” said Northern Health Medical Health Officer Dr. William Osei. “Those behaviours increase the risk whether they take place in a large city, in a First Nations community, or in any other town or village.”

There is no indication that rates of HIV infection have recently increased in the Northwest HSDA, but public health officials have observed a clear link between new cases and ongoing high-risk behaviours. Public health officials recorded nine new HIV positive tests in the region in 2006, four in 2007, and four more new HIV positive tests so far in 2008.

People contract HIV and other blood-borne diseases through contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids (such as semen or vaginal secretions). Some of the ways people become infected include:

• Unprotected sex and sexual contact with multiple partners or sex-trade workers; and/or
• Sharing needles for injecting drugs or sharing crack pipes

Many people with HIV are unaware of their HIV-positive status. They may not have any symptoms, but are still capable of transmitting the disease to others.

Testing for HIV is free and confidential. People seeking testing can visit a family physician, or arrange a test through their local public health unit

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