Ask Jake: HIV & Hepatitis C FAQs

Have a question for Jake? Email her at askjake@youthco.org.

Is oral sex without a condom (or a dam) still a risk for HIV?
It is still a risk, but a low one.  It's a great idea to use condoms and dams for oral sex as they're available in lots of varieties, colours and flavours!  It's even possible to make a dam out of a condom by taking off the elastic at the base and ripping it up the side to create a large, flat square. 

How do I get tested for HIV?
There are lots of places that will do HIV testing, the doctor, a walk-in clinic, a hospital, just remember that an HIV test is a blood test!  The doctor may fill out a requisition form for a blood lab in the area.  Test results usually take about 2 weeks.

Is HIV/AIDS a problem in Canada? 
Yes.  While HIV in Canada is not an epidemic the way that it is in some other parts of the world, it is still serious.  If we do not continue to educate each other and work towards a cure then we are at risk of it becoming an epidemic.

Did HIV come from a Monkey?
There is a lot of controversy about where HIV came from.  Some folks believe that it could have come from a monkey, while others don't.  What we do know is that HIV is specific to humans and cannot be transmitted to other species.

Isn't HIV a disease that only gay people or drug-users get?
HIV is a disease that affects any human and it doesn't discriminate.  Young men and women, regardless of their sexual orientation, are testing positive for HIV at a very high rate.  While sharing needles for injection drug use is a high-risk activity for HIV it is not the only way that the disease is transmitted.

Please remember that "Ask Jake" is designed for educational purposes only. The information provided is general and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your own health care provider.

Contact YouthCO, your doctor or a walk-in clinic to make an appointment to learn more and to get tested.

Learn more about HIV and AIDS, the Stages of the virus and How HIV is Transmitted.

Learn more about Hepatitis C, the Symptoms of the virus and How it is Transmitted.