HIV testing is for everyone.

There’s a myth that HIV only affects certain communities. It is true that in Canada there are populations that are affected more than others. But HIV doesn’t discriminate.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the latest numbers show that heterosexual contact accounted for the greatest proportion (39%) of new cases, and injection drug use accounted for over 20 percent of new transmissions.

HIV can affect anyone, and testing is for everyone who is sexually active; especially for those who have sex without forms of protection. It’s for everyone who has sex with multiple partners. It’s for people who use and inject drugs. It’s for people who haven’t tested before. It’s for gay, bi and other men who have sex with men. It’s for trans men and women. It’s for cisgender and heterosexual men and women.

Anyone can test for HIV. If you test positive, know that there are highly effective medications that can help you attain an undetectable viral load and live a long, healthy and active life with no risk of passing on the virus through sex. If you test negative, there are highly effective medications that can prevent you from getting HIV.

Everyone has an HIV status, whether it’s negative or positive. But the only way to know your status is to get tested.

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CATIE, Canada’s source for HIV and Hepatitis C information, has an easy-to-use tool to help you find where to get tested for HIV and other STBBIs in your area. Click here to learn more.

HIV self-test kits are now available in Canada. Visit I-AM.HEALTH to learn more.

HIV RESEARCH SAVES LIVES.

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