Anyone who has unprotected sex (especially penetrative sex) or who shares needles
or injecting equipment can get HIV.
If you think that only gay men or injection drug users can get HIV, you are
wrong. You don’t get HIV because you’re straight or homosexual, young or old,
living in the city or from the country. It’s not who you are or where you
live that matters - it's what you do that puts you at risk for infection.
For more information on risky activities, read the FAQ, “Which
sexual acts can transmit HIV?” and, “Are
there risks of getting HIV if I drink or use drugs?”
What puts women at risk?
These factors put women at risk for contracting HIV:
- Having unprotected sex with men or women
increases the risk of infection, although male-to-female transmission of HIV
is more likely to happen than female-to-male transmission.
- There is more of the HIV virus present in semen than in vaginal
secretions.
- There are more men than women infected with HIV, which increases
the chance of having an infected partner.
- The larger soft skin surface of the vulva and vagina increases
the number of potential tiny tears during intercourse which provide an entryway
for the HIV virus..
- Sharing sex toys without using a condom for each user or without
cleaning the toys between users increases the risk.
- Using unscreened semen from sources other than licensed sperm
banks for alternative insemination also increases the risk of infection.
What puts men at risk?
These factors put men at risk:
- Having unprotected sex with men or women increases the risk of infection,
although male-to-male
transmission of HIV is more likely to occur than female-to-male transmission
- Around the world, men tend to have more sexual partners than women, which
increases the chance of exposure to HIV.
- Men in certain settings are at greater risk. For example, the majority of
convicted prisoners are men, and due to increased rates of shared equipment
for injecting drugs and unprotected sex between inmates in prisons, men are
more likely to be involved in risk behaviours.
What other behaviours put women and men at risk?
These behaviours increase the risk of HIV infection:
- sexual abuse and forced
sex, which increases the possibility of tears in the vagina or anus due to
the use of force and the lack of lubrication
- sharing injection drug
equipment (needles, cookers, filters, etc)
- use of non-injection
drug use or alcohol
- sharing piercing and
tattooing equipment.
How do I reduce the risk of HIV infection?
To reduce your risk of contracting HIV:
- Always carry condoms with you, especially if you will be drinking
or doing drugs.
- Talk about safer sex with your partner before you get into
bed (and don't leave it up to your partner to raise the topic!).
- Get tested if you think you have been exposed to HIV.
- Make sure to use lubrication, which can reduce the risk of
infection by reducing tearing during intercourse.
Remember, behaviours and activities that put you at risk for HIV infection
also put you at risk for infection by other viruses, sexually
transmitted infections or hepatitis
C. For more information on HIV transmission, read the FAQ, “How
do you get (or not get) HIV?”
Additional resources
HIV
in Prison – Canadian
HIV/AIDS Legal Network
HIV infections among MSM In Canada – Public
Health Agency of Canada
HIV and AIDS among women in Canada - Public
Health Agency of Canada
HIV/AIDS among older Canadians - Public
Health Agency of Canada
HIV and AIDS among youth in Canada - Public
Health Agency of Canada
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