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Questions And Answers:
Some questions are not printable and many questions about transmission, life of the virus outside of the body and risk activities are answered on our Get the Facts page. We also offer a confidential phone line.

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Q. Would HIV generally show as a low anitbody count?

A. No. Testing for HIV infection is not done in regular blood work. Special tests are conducted specifically for HIV. For more information please refer to “Get the Facts” on our home page and click on HIV. There is a section on testing.

Q. Three months after having unprotected sex I experienced low-grade fever, muscle pain and developed sores in my mouth which I still have. After six months I had an HIV test which came back negative. It has been one year now and I still have these symptoms.

A. Having unprotected sex puts you at risk for any number of sexually transmitted diseases as well as HIV and Hepatitis C. Since your HIV test was negative after six months it is not likely you have HIV. You should return to your doctor and tell him/her your symptoms and ask to be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases. You could ask for a follow-up HIV test just as a precaution.

Q. I would like to get an anonymous test for syphilis, without revealing my name. I am from out of province, and I have enough reason to be concerned that I would like a test done and then be able to return home and undertake treatment if necessary. Where could I pay for just a syphilis test without revealing my name?

A. There are two sites for anonymous HIV testing in Calgary: Safeworks and the STD Clinic. No appointment is needed at Safeworks but it might be nice to have one at STD Clinic.

The STD Clinic number is: (403) 944-7575.
Saveworks number is (403) 410-1180 Mon-Friday 1-5pm.

Q. What is the longest amount of time a person can have HIV before it shows up on a test?

A. If your body has been infected with HIV, HIV antibodies are made. The HIV antibody test looks for these antibodies. If they show up on the first test, your blood sample will be re-checked to confirm the results. It is common that you could be HIV infected and not have it show up on a test. Your body could take 6 months to make enough HIV antibodies to show up on a test.

Please visit our “Get the Facts” page on our web site for more information on testing and other information about HIV and/or Hepatitis C.

Q. Should I get tested for HIV? How?

A. The HIV test is a simple blood test that tells you whether or not you are HIV positive (infected with HIV). HIV testing is voluntary.

Consider getting tested if you, or your partner(s) have ever:

  • Had sex without a condom—you can not tell if someone has HIV unless they have been tested
  • Had sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you might not have used protection
  • Shared needles or syringes to inject drugs (or other drug equipment: water, cotton filters, cookers, pipes, straws)
  • Had tattooing, piercing, or acupuncture without sterilized equipment
  • Had a blood transfusion or other blood products before November 1986

Q. Why get tested?

A. To find out your HIV status

  • If you are HIV positive you can:
  • Get early treatment to stay healthy
  • Get treatment to reduce the chances of your baby getting HIV if you are pregnant
  • Take precautions to not give HIV to others
  • If you are HIV negative you can:
  • Experience less stress and anxiety because you will know your status
  • Learn more about how to reduce your risk of becoming infected

Q. Where do I get tested?

A. Get tested by your doctor (all ages) or at the Sexual Health Centre (if you are under the age of 25).

Q. How does hepatitis C virus differ from hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses?

A. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are all forms of viral hepatitis—an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. However, there are a number of characteristics that differentiate these diseases.

Hepatitis A - is spread by a fecal-oral route or by eating and drinking contaminated food or water. In younger patients the infection often goes unnoticed. Most patients recover fully after a short illness. As a result of their infection, they develop lifelong immunity.

Hepatitis B - is transmitted through infected blood and body fluids. It can be passed, for example, from mother to child during delivery. It can also be transmitted sexually, and is therefore a sexually transmitted disease. Hepatitis B is often spread through injection drug use. The majority of adults infected with the hepatitis B virus recover completely, and as a result of their infection, develop lifelong immunity to the virus. However, approximately 10% of adults and 90% of infants who become infected with hepatitis B cannot get rid of the virus and are considered to have chronic hepatitis B. These people become long-term carriers, and although they may be symptom free for many years, they may develop cirrhosis or liver cancer later in life.

Is there a cure for hepatitis C?

A. Current treatment includes a combination of anti-viral drugs (interferon and ribavirin) and approximately 40% of people receiving this treatment are able to completely eliminate the Hepatitis C virus from their bodies. Success ranges from 20-80% and depends on many factors: the amount of scarring in the liver, the amount of virus in the body and the specific genotype of hepatitis C. Most people with hepatitis C can live a healthy life for many years. Only about 20% of hepatitis C patients develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. The key to successful treatment and management of the disease is early diagnosis and treatment.

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?

A. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C at the present time. Once in the body, HCV can literally change its coat (or outer capsule) in a process called mutation. It is this outer coating that helps the body or vaccine identify a virus and attack it. Thus, developing a vaccine for hepatitis C has become a moving target. You would need a different vaccine for each mutation of the virus. Researchers are currently tackling this challenge but a vaccine is not expected in the near future.

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