Yes! It is quite safe to work, study, or play with people who have HIV and
AIDS. It is also safe for children to be in day care or attend school with children
who have HIV and AIDS.
Everyday contact with adults or children who have HIV/AIDS is safe.
You cannot get HIV through:
- shaking hands, hugging, or kissing
- working or playing side by side
- sharing equipment or toys (even toys that children put in their mouths)
- sharing washrooms
- sharing water fountains, food, dishes, or cutlery
- changing diapers
HIV infection is only transmitted through semen, blood, vaginal fluids and
breast milk. Other body fluids, like saliva, mucus or vomit, do not transmit
HIV.
The three main ways you can get HIV are:
- having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status
is not known
- sharing needles with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status is
not known
- being born to an HIV-positive mother
Even if an HIV-infected fluid touches your skin, it won't cause infection.
Your skin is your best protection. To get infected, enough HIV-infected fluids
must get directly into your bloodstream through a fresh sore or cut (which may
not be noticeable). In our daily lives, such fluid exchange or "blood-to-blood"
contact with others is unusual - even in cases of biting, scratching, accidents
or fights.
What are universal precautions?
Universal precautions are infection control guidelines designed to protect
workers from exposure to diseases spread by blood and other body fluids. These
guidelines are meant to keep people safe from infection and discrimination by
suggesting that we assume that everyone is infected with a blood-borne disease
such as HIV or hepatitis.
If you ever have to clean up anyone's blood or any body fluids,
wear latex gloves, clean the soiled surface and disinfect with fresh bleach
solution (one part bleach, 9 parts water). Place any soiled materials in a sealed
plastic bag and discard in a covered garbage container. Wash your hands afterwards
with soap and warm water. Machine-wash any soiled clothes separately in hot
soapy water.
Keep in mind that the Canadian Charter of Human Rights prohibits discrimination
against people with disabilities; this includes HIV/AIDS. Also, Canadian law
recognizes HIV/AIDS as a disability, like any other medical condition.
Additional Resources:
HIV/AIDS and discrimination
For more information, contact your
local AIDS service organization or health care practitioner.
| 
