Wil Andruschak

“I want an HIV test.”

It’s a simple request that sets in motion a quick and relatively painless process of blood work. A confidential Q & A from a nurse, blood drawn from a vein and that’s it. Yet despite the ease of the test, many Calgarians who have unprotected sex don’t bother getting tested for HIV.

In response, AIDS Calgary has launched a campaign encouraging young adults to get tested. “One of the things that’s been prompting us to do a testing campaign is the huge rates of sexually transmitted infections, period, in the province,” says Susan Cress, executive director of AIDS Calgary. “We have an insane rate of STIs in Alberta, and whenever we see those rates, we know those are also an indicator for HIV activity.”

For the past two years, Calgary has had the highest rate of HIV infections in Alberta. Almost one in three Canadians who have HIV aren’t aware they’re infected. “There are people showing up at the hospital that are symptomatic, and that’s the first time they’re finding out that they’re HIV positive,” says Cress. “Something around that has to change…. Ideally, I would like to see HIV testing become part of somebody’s routine health management that they do for themselves once a year or every 18 months.”

So who exactly should get tested? “Anybody who is sexually active and has been having unprotected vaginal or anal sex,” says Cress.

However, there are still many myths surrounding not only HIV itself — for example, “if you just are around someone living with HIV, then you’re going to get it,” says Cress, citing a persistent myth — but also the testing process. “Some people think your parents get notified [if you test positive], that it’s mandated that everybody in your life knows,” she says. “And really, the truth around HIV is the only people who need to know are the people you’re being sexual with.”

Tests in Calgary usually happen one of two ways. The first is by someone requesting a test through his or her family doctor. The second is by going to the STD clinic at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre at 1213 Fourth St. S.W.

While doctors can arrange tests for patients, some don’t see the need for regular HIV testing. “One of the barriers to testing is we get stories of people going to their family physician and saying, ‘I want an HIV test,’” says Cress. “And their physician says, ‘Well, you’re not a prostitute’ — and they use that language — ‘and you’re not a gay man, and you don’t inject drugs. You don’t need a test.’” The STD clinic, conversely, encourages testing not only for HIV, but other STIs.

Some Calgarians go for testing in groups, which can make the process even easier. Cress says testing groups are becoming more common in the gay community. “They support each other’s confidentiality, and then they’re there to support each other for any test result — positive or negative — that may happen,” says Cress. “Those types of things help normalize sexual health and wellness in our community, and I think that’s really important.”

In Canada, approximately 60,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS. About 1,400 live in Calgary. “The sooner you know, the more treatment options are available for you,” says Cress. “You sure don’t want to be getting treated for HIV for the very first time if it’s lived in your body for eight years.”