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HIV and AIDS
Up one levelAbstinence
Abstinence (refraining from sexual activity at this time in your life) is the only 100% effective method to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Abuse During Pregnancy
Abuse does not end when a woman becomes pregnant. Abuse may begin or escalate during pregnancy (Health Canada, 1999). A 1993 Canadian study revealed that 21% of women abused by their partners were assaulted during their pregnancy. Of these women, 40% reported the abuse began when they became pregnant (Health Canada, 1999).
AIDS and HIV
Protect yourself and the ones you love What are HIV and AIDS? - HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system - HIV causes a number of symptoms and illnesses, including AIDS - People with HIV do not have AIDS A positive HIV antibody test means that you have HIV, and can pass the virus on and infect others Does everyone with HIV develop AIDS? Many people with HIV develop AIDS, but early diagnosis, new drugs, and other treatments are helping people stay healthy longer. How do people become infected with HIV? HIV virus is found in blood, semen and vaginal secretions of an HIV infected person. It is passed on through: - Penetrative sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal or oral) - Sharing needles to take drugs Direct contact with HIV infected blood What are the symptoms of AIDS? Some people have HIV for months or years and experience no symptoms. Some symptoms that may develop include: - Persistent fever - Night sweats - Swollen glands - Skin lesions or sores - Extreme fatigue - Unexplained weight loss - Diarrhea - Abdominal pain - Breathing difficulties - Neurological problems - Vaginal infections Chronic yeast infection How can people with HIV stay healthy? - See your doctor regularly and inform your doctor of any unusual symptoms or illness - Eat well - Get plenty of rest - Exercise regularly - Develop and keep supportive relationships - Try to avoid other infections and illnesses - Reduce the use of alcohol and tobacco, and avoid illegal drug use - Keep working or become an active volunteer. People who are busy stay healthy longer Avoid HIV re-infection. The HIV virus is constantly changing. You could become infected with a slightly different strain of the virus and put your health at further risk How can I avoid passing HIV to others? Safe Sex & HIV: It is very important to talk openly with your partner. Tell your partner you are HIV positive, and discuss safe sex ahead of time. - Avoid penetrative sex. Anal and vaginal sex poses the highest risk for infection. If you and your partner agree to have penetrative sex, a condom must be used. The risk is lower for oral sex (mouth to penis or vagina) - During mouth to penis oral sex, when the man is HIV positive, a condom should be used - During mouth to vagina oral sex, when the woman is HIV positive, a dental dam should be used - Hugging, kissing, massage and masturbation are safe as long as they do not lead to penetration or contact with blood or semen - Never share sex toys - Avoid sexual activities that cause bleeding - Avoid oral/anal sex (mouth to anus). The risk of Hepatitis A and B is very high - Avoid intravenous drug use, especially when it involves the sharing of needles - Do not donate blood, sperm, ova, or organs - Do not share toothbrushes or razors Avoid anything that causes bleeding, such as: tattooing, electrolysis or ear/body piercing What can I do if I have HIV and use needles to take drugs? The best way to avoid passing HIV to other needle drug users is to stop using drugs. For more information on drug addiction call Addiction and Mental Health Services at 1-800-387-2916. Use the following suggestions for safe needle drug use, while you are trying to get help for drug addiction: - Tell drug partners that you have HIV - Always use clean needles and syringes - Never share or reuse needles - If you don't have unused needles, find out how to clean them with bleach, by calling the confidential AIDS hotline at 1-800-668-2437 To get clean needles and syringes, call the AIDS Committee of Windsor Needle Exchange at 973-0222 The Health Unit provides anonymous, confidential HIV testing at all 3 sites. Call for an appointment: - To make an appointment for Leamington call, 326-5716 ext. 2100 To make an appointment for Windsor or Essex call, 258-2146 ext. 1200 or 1201 Windsor: Services are available for all Windsor-Essex County residents (no age restriction). Nurse's clinics are open Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Appointments must be made for Monday evening clinics. Tuesday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., appointments are preferred, but not necessary. The Windsor clinic is now open through the lunch hour. Doctor clinics are Mondays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Appointments are needed. Times may vary. This is basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a healthcare professional about any health concerns you have, and before you make any changes to your diet, lifestyle or treatment.
Community Resources For Infection Protection
The following Windsor-Essex County organizations offer presentations, assessments, support, or referrals related to the Infection Protection initiative.
Contraceptive Sponge
A contraceptive sponge is barrier method of birth control that contains spermicide. It is disposable (you throw it away), and used only when planning on having sexual intercourse (sex).
Cryptosporidiosis
What is cryptosporidiosis? Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites of Cryptosporidium. Once an animal or person is infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine- based disinfectants. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as "crypto." If you suspect that you have cryptosporidiosis, see your health care provider. How is cryptosporidiosis spread? Cryptosporidium lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals. Millions of crypto germs can be released in a bowel movement from an infected human or animal. Consequently, Cryptosporidium is found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with infected human or animal feces. If a person swallows the parasite they become infected. You cannot become infected through contact with blood. The parasite can be spread by - Accidentally putting something into your mouth or swallowing something that has come into contact with feces of a person or animal infected with Cryptosporidium. - Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Cryptosporidium (Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.) Note: Cryptosporidium can survive for days in swimming pools with adequate chlorine levels. - Eating uncooked food contaminated with Cryptosporidium. Thoroughly wash with clean, safe water all vegetables and fruits you plan to eat raw. See below for information on making water safe. - Accidentally swallowing Cryptosporidium picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person. What are the symptoms? The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include: - Dehydration - Weight loss - Stomach cramps or pain - Fever - Nausea - Vomiting Some people with crypto will have no symptoms at all. While the small intestine is the site most commonly affected , Cryptosporidium infections could possibly affect other areas of the digestive or the respiratory tract. How is it treated? If you think you have cryptosporidiosis, or any persistent diarrhea see your family doctor for testing, advice and follow-up. You will be asked to submit a stool sample for testing. Your doctor will give you treatment advice to suit your particular needs, which may include medications to stop the diarrhea. People with cryptosporidiosis should drink fluids to prevent dehydration. How can I prevent getting cryptosporidiosis? - If your local Medical Health Officer has issued a Boil Water Advisory or notice for your community water system, follow the precautions. - If you have a weakened immune system, you should discuss your risk of cryptosporidiosis with your doctor. This includes people with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs. People who wish to take extra precautions can boil their drinking water. - Do not drink untreated surface water from a spring, stream, river, lake, pond or shallow well. It is likely contaminated with animal feces. When camping do not relieve yourself within 100 feet of a water source. - Do not drink unpasteurized milk or juices. - Avoid uncooked food or drinks prepared with untreated water, especially during international travel. - Wash your hands before eating and handling food, and after using the toilet, changing diapers, or after touching animals. - Make sure children, especially those who handle pets, wash their hands carefully before eating and on a regular basis. - Avoid contact with feces during sexual activity. There are two ways to remove Cryptosporidium from water: - Boiling: Boil or filter water from sources that are used for drinking, making ice cubes, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, making baby formula, brushing teeth or rinsing dentures. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then allow it to cool. At elevations over 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) you should boil water for at least two minutes to disinfect. Boiling will not purify water that is heavily polluted or chemically contaminated. - Filtering: To remove Cryptosporidium oocysts, filters must have an absolute pore size of one micron or be certified by an organization accredited by the National Standards Foundation (NSF) for oocyst removal. Jug-type water filters will not remove Cryptosporidium. Some built-in water filtration systems will remove Cryptosporidium, but they need regular and thorough maintenance to work well. Information on certification of treatment devices is available at www.scc.ca/. Other types of water treatment units, such as distillation units and combination (filtration and ultraviolet) units are also available. Check with local water purification suppliers or your local environmental health officer for more detailed information. Cryptosporidium are resistant to chlorine. Treating water with chlorine will NOT remove the parasite. For more information visit: Health Canada: Giardia and cryptosporidium CDC: Cryptosporidium infection
Dare to Ask Your Partner
Before starting a sexual relationship, ask your partner the following information
Dare to Ask Your Partner
Before starting a sexual relationship, ask your partner the following information
Director of Health Promotion Board Report
TO THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT 2007 April 19.
Director of Health Promotion Board Report
TO THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT 2007 January 18
Director of Health Protection Board Report
TO THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT 2007 March 8.
Director of Health Protection Board Report
TO THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT 2007 April 19.
Director of Health Protection Board Report
TO THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT 2007 May 17.
Director of Health Protection Board Report
TO THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT 2007 JUNE 21.
Director of Health Protection Board Report
TO THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT 2006 November 16
Director of Health Protection Board Report
TO THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT 2007 January 18
Effects of Woman Abuse
Abuse can undermine all aspects of a woman's life. Effects of abuse may include:
Flu Shot Clinic - Frequently Asked Questions
It is important for healthy people to get a flu shot, in order to lessen the risk of passing a severe case of the flu to people (elderly) who are at risk of life-threatening complications from the flu.