WHAT IS HIV & AIDS		DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
	SO YOUR TEST IS POSITIVE		NEXT PAGE
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	PREGNANCY

WHAT IS HIV AND AIDS
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus which, along with other contributing factors, is believed to cause AIDS by slowly destroying our body's ability to fight off disease.

A positive, or "reactive" HIV antibody test means that you have come into contact with HIV and have been infected with this virus. A positive HIV antibody test does not mean that you have AIDS.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiently Syndrome. When you have AIDS, it means that your body's immune system, which helps fight disease, has been weakened. You are vulnerable to serious infections, often called opportunistic infections, which can kill you.

HIV is spread:

• through penetrative sex, anal or vaginal, without using a latex condom
• by sharing needles or syringes without proper cleaning
• from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
• through artificial insemination and transfusions with blood or blood products which have not been properly screened

PEOPLE CAN HAVE HIV INFECTION AND CONTINUE TO LEAD HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE LIVES

PEOPLE CAN LIVE WELL FOR YEARS WITH AIDS

SO YOUR TEST IS POSITIVE
Getting a positive HIV test can be a shock. You may be full of anger and blame. These reactions are normal. Take a deep breath and remember these facts:
A positive HIV test does not mean that you have AIDS
Women with HIV and AIDS enjoy life
Lots of women like you are living healthy and positive lives with HIV and AIDS

Staying Healthy
At first things can seem overwhelming. But take a good look at your lifestyle and think about how to make it healthier.

Everyone's strategy for staying well is different. Decide what's right for you, but don't feel guilty if you can't change things overnight. Your health strategy has to be manageable. You can change it from time to time depending on how you're feeling.

Here are some of the things you might consider when you are planning your health strategy.

Healthy Eating
These and other good foods support a healthy body:|
 

	Vegetables and fruits		Whole grains
	Chicken and fish		Beans
	Nuts and seeds

Try to reduce your intake of junk foods, and of foods that contain a lot of white flour, sugar, and chemical additives. Some women living with HIV and AIDS find a yeast-free or other special diet helpful. Read cookbooks. Consult a naturopath or doctor knowledgeable in nutrition. Visit a health food store. Experiment
to find what works for you.

Supplements
People living with HIV and AIDS are often low in certain vitamins and minerals, so many of us take vitamins and other supplements in addition to eating well. Nutritional supplements will help you to stay healthy, return to health quickly after and illness, and reduce the toxic effects of drugs you may be taking.

Healthcare
Women's symptoms
Women get most of the same infections that HIV positive men get. But we can also get health problems such as hard-to-treat vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical cancer. Get a pap smear and pelvic examination every six months to check for some of these problems and treat them as soon as possible.

Your medical doctor
Choose a doctor who gives you confidence, and work hard to achieve a good relationship with her or him. Feel free to ask questions or disagree. You may know about treatments your doctor has not even heard about yet. Your doctor should be someone who knows about AIDS and HIV and how this virus acts in women's bodies.

Other healthcare models
Other practices can support and complement your healthcare strategy. Many women stay well with naturopathy, acupuncture, massage, etc.

Your dentist
Dental care is important. You may wonder about telling your dentist that you are HIV positive. Most dentists use "universal precautions" (take precautions like wearing rubber gloves with all their patients to protect against all diseases spread through bodily fluids). If your dentist does this, then both you and your dentist are safe, and you don't need to say that you are HIV positive. But remember that dental care is very important, and you will get better care from a dentist who knows your health history.

Check with your local AIDS service organization for names of supportive and skilled health professionals in your area.

Sleep
Fatigue is a common problem for people living with HIV and AIDS. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep nightly, and don't feel guilty about taking naps throughout the day. If you can't get to sleep at night, try to do things that calm you. Take a warm bath, sip a cup of herbal tea.

Exercise
Exercise in moderation stimulates the immune system, oxygenates our blood, and improves circulation, making us stronger. It can also relax you and give you a great body! Try to build regular exercise into your health strategy.

Drugs and Alcohol
Drugs (including caffeine and nicotine!) and alcohol are not good for your immune system. If you can stop or cut back, you will probably feel better. If you are "using", make sure you know how to do it safely.

Travel
Travel lifts your spirits. With precautions about food and water we can travel and stay healthy. Some countries have policies that restrict our entry, so it's a good idea to check this out before you buy your plane ticket. Health insurance for travel out of the country is important. You may want to take out cancellation insurance, in case you can't go at the last minutes because of illness.

Look into vaccinations (shots) to see if any would make sense for you. Be aware that live virus vaccines are not recommended for HIV positive people. And be careful about getting too much sun. It suppresses our immune system and can trigger a herpes outbreak in those of us who have that virus. Also, some drugs such as AZT and Septra make us more sensitive to the sun so we burn more easily.

Your emotions are important too
After you find out that you are HIV positive, it's normal to feel that your emotions are on a roller coaster. You may feel angry, sad, and all alone. You may be putting on a brave front and pretending that nothing is wrong.

Here are some things that can help you manage the stress of living with HIV and AIDS:
 

	Listening to relaxation tapes		Meditation
	Taking long walks		Yoga and tai chi
	Talking to friends		Attending support groups

But let's face it... stress is hard to avoid. Don't stress yourself out more by worrying too much about how to avoid stress. If things become really hard to deal with, there are professional counsellors and therapists who can help you.

Who should I tell?
Some women tell no one. Some women tell a small circle of people they trust. Some women are very public about being HIV positive. You do not have to tell anyone that you are HIV positive. And definitely not until you are ready. But you might feel more relaxed and supported if you tell people you trust. Take it slowly. Many women find that people they thought would reject them instead become better, closer friends.

SUBSTANCE USE
Voices of Positive Women supports in a harm reduction approach towards substance use.  Whether it is smoking, party drugs, marijuana, or harder substances it is important to work hard to help each other reduce the risks involved in substance use by  providing a supportive network  whereby substance users can access treatment at the level they need and feel comfortable with. Voices now provides needle exchange on site and all our staff have gone through the needle exchange training!
 

Website links:
Toronto Raver Info Project	http://www.torontoraverinfoproject.ca
Canadian Harm Reduction Network	http://www.canadianharmreduction.com
ShootClean.com	http://www.shootclean.com/

PREGNANCY
“HIV is a world full of mysteries and ideas that has baffled even the most advanced research. Pregnancy has also presented its share of perplexities. Pregnant woman have been faced with many previously undiscovered, unexpected challenges for centuries.

But, through all these trials and tribulations, one thing has remained constant and that is the miracle of birth. Our history (as a society in general) has shown us many tragedies around childbirth. My heart goes out to anyone who has experienced this. But, no matter what we’ve been faced with, no matter what medical research becomes challenged by, the miracle of having children has overcome so many obstacles and thanks to medical research and the courage of many HIV+ women, it looks like HIV will be leaving the list of exceptions.

Being an HIV+ woman means making a lot of day to day, short term and long term decisions. Decisions that are often uncomfortable and defeating. Being HIV+ and pregnant or deciding whether or not to get pregnant can be extremely overwhelming.

There have been some amazing advances in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, also referred to as vertical or perinatal transmission. It has become far more likely that women with HIV will have healthy, uninfected babies with good perinatal care.  For HIV+ women, perinatal care comes with having to make some tough decisions.  Things to consider include anti-HIV drug therapy (what to take, when to take it?), diet and exercise, complimentary and/or alternative therapies and the list goes on.   There has been no evidence that being pregnant has any effect on the course of a women’s HIV. Also, there is no evidence that HIV has any effect on the baby, other than the risk of transmission, which we know can be greatly reduced. Having an opportunistic infection can cause complications. It’s important for an HIV+ woman to know the status of her health before making any decisions.

The following links and articles will provide more in depth research results. Please take a moment to read them. As a PLWHA (Person lliving with HIV/AIDS) and a mother, I wouldn’t trade my experience of having my son for anything in the world. It was and remains today, an unfolding of wonders that I could never have previously imagined. I am grateful for the information and the strategies that were so freely presented to me. Information is empowerment. What amazing things we have transcended!”

Kim Johnson, Peer Network Coordinator (Voices of Positive Women)
 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
If you are a woman who has experienced domestic violence or sexual assault, or you know someone who has, please check out the following resources for more information.

For more information on a Centre in you area click on this link http://www.hotpeachpages.net