I know this isn't a pleasant subject, but it's something I have been more in contact with since moving to Toronto. Before living in Toronto, I couldn't name a single person I knew that had HIV or AIDS.
I now know at least ten.
According to Health Canada, about 56,000 people have HIV/AIDS, and almost 30% of those people are not aware that they have it.
While I don't necessarily promote condom usage (I would rather you would all just get married and have babies or abstain from sex if you can, for heaven sakes) I would say be safe and get yourself tested if you do have sex with someone before marriage.
Health Canada recommends these steps to prevent getting HIV/AIDS:
- Use latex condoms to make sexual activity safer.
- Postpone or abstain from sexual activities and reduce your number of partners.
- Discuss HIV with your partner and have sex only with a partner who agrees to use a latex condom.
- Never share needles or injection equipment.
- If you are getting a tattoo, body piercing or acupuncture, ensure that all equipment is sterile.
- If you are pregnant and concerned about HIV, talk with your doctor about being tested. Early treatment with medication can prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to baby before birth.
- If you have engaged in risky behavior, get tested.
And as far as the stats go, it's mostly white men that have it. (Make of that what you will.) Most importantly, just consider sexual health to be another important part of your life. Stay healthy.
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