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Safer sex is any kind of sexual activity that reduces the chances of becoming infected with HIV or transmitting HIV, or other sexually transmitted blood borne infections (STBBIs). Many activities – such as hugging, kissing, massage and touching – are completely safe for HIV transmission. No one has ever gotten or passed on HIV from these sexual activities. However, it’s possible to get or pass on certain other STBBIs from these activities. Anal or vaginal sex without a condom is an easy way to become infected, or to pass on HIV and other STBBIs. These activities are considered “high risk” sexual activities for HIV transmission. They can be made much safer by using a condom and water-based lubricant. For other sexual activities, the chances of getting, or passing on HIV are small. These activities (like oral sex) are considered “low risk” for HIV. For more information about Safer Sex please take a look at the Safer Sex Guide. http://librarypdf.catie.ca/PDF/ATI-20000s/26536.pdf We provide condoms and lube free of charge to any individual engaging in sexual activity.  Stop by our office at 844a Princess Street, Kingston to pick some up. Videos The videos below were created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and are not safe for work. More videos and information can be found at www.thesexyouwant.ca    This video on Condoms was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and is not safe for work. This video on Undetectable Viral Load was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and not safe for work. This video on Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and not safe for work. This video on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and not safe for work.

Safer Injection Needle exchange services are available to individuals who use drugs in the Kingston Region. We provide a variety of syringes, safer disposal containers as well as other injection equipment (spoons, alcohol swabs, sterile water, vitamin c and ties). People are encouraged to bring their used syringes to ensure proper disposal. Sharing needles or other injection equipment is one way HIV, Hep C other blood-borne diseases are spread from one person to another. By practicing safer needle use, injection drug users can reduce the risk of HIV transmission along with many other infections and conditions associated with injecting drugs. For more information on Safer Injection, visit: http://librarypdf.catie.ca/PDF/ATI-70000s/70095.pdf Safer Inhalation HARS provides sterile equipment for clients who use inhaled drugs, such as crack cocaine. Our inhalation kits (stem kits) offer our clients a safer alternative to greatly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV or other blood borne infections. When heating your pipe, the glass or metal stem gets very hot. Sores and blisters on your lips can form from this extreme heat. Sharing mouthpieces and stems while having open sores and cuts is a way that Hep C and HIV can be spread. If you are smoking, make sure you use the mouthpieces that are provided in your kit to help avoid getting cuts or sores. Small traces of blood can contain Hep C and/or HIV. Kits include pyrex stems, vinyl mouthpieces, screens, wooden pushsticks and alcohol swabs. For more information on safer inhalation, visit: http://librarypdf.catie.ca/PDF/ATI-30000s/30070.pdf To access our Needle Exchange/HARM Reduction Supplies, you can stop by our office Monday – Friday from 9-12noon and 1-5pm at 844a Princess Street, Kingston.

What HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks your body’s defence against disease and illness by infecting the very cells which would normally fight off infection. Anyone can be infected with HIV. You can have HIV without knowing it. You may not look or feel sick for years, but you can still pass the virus on to other people. Without treatment, HIV can progress and cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of infection. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a clinical diagnosis that indicates the most advanced stage of an HIV infection. At this point your immune system becomes too weak to fight off serious illnesses and can lead to life-threatening infections. How HIV is passed from one person to another through 5 body fluids: blood semen (including pre-cum) rectal fluid vaginal fluid breast milk An infection happens when one of these fluids that contain HIV enters the bloodstream through broken skin or the wet linings of the body (vagina, rectum, foreskin). HIV cannot pass through healthy, unbroken skin. It is not passed by hugging, kissing, toilet seats or insects. The most common ways HIV is passed from one person to another are: through sex by sharing injection equipment It can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. Find more details on HIV transmission, testing and treatment at CATIE: http://www.catie.ca/en/basics/hiv-and-aids#better Video This video was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and is not safe for work. More videos and information can be found at www.thesexyouwant.ca

What Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks your liver. You can live with hepatitis C for 20 to 30 years or more without feeling sick even though the virus is injuring the liver, making it hard for it to work properly. The liver is a very important organ in your body that you cannot live without. How Hepatitis C is spread when the blood of a person with hepatitis C comes in contact with the bloodstream of someone else. This can happen through breaks in the skin or in the lining of the nose and mouth. Hepatitis C is a strong virus and can survive outside of the body for many days. This means dried blood can also pass the virus. More Information Find more details on HEPC transmission, testing and treatment at CATIE: http://www.catie.ca/en/basics/hepatitis-c

Why Should You Test? Knowing your status is the first step in protecting yourself and your partner.  Getting tested for HIV is quick, easy and available near you. Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have HIV. You should get tested if you’ve: had sex without a condom shared needles when injecting drugs put yourself at risk of HIV in any other way or are worried you might have.