To help prevent the transmission of the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), individuals should be aware of their own HIV status. In an ideal world, individuals would be aware of their partners’ status. However this is not always the case due to the following reasons:

• Difficulty and/or discomfort when discussing previous sexual or drug related history.
• Difficulty and/or discomfort when discussing sex or sexual issues.
• Fear of being stigmatized or discriminated against.
• Difficulty disclosing HIV status for fear of violence, rejection, abandonment, or of their status becoming public knowledge.
• Does not consider themselves or their partner(s) to be at risk for HIV.

There are a number of things individuals can do to protect themselves from HIV transmission. Awareness and education are paramount in the prevention of HIV transmission.

Some individuals falsely assume that they are not at risk for HIV because they are not from a group that is currently considered “high risk” in Canada such as gay men, intravenous drug users, or people of Aboriginal descent. However it is important to keep in mind that the face of HIV is complex and more importantly, that HIV does not discriminate and can infect anyone regardless of their age, social status, economic status, sexual orientation, ability and racial or ethnic origin.