Health Care Provider Medical Advisory – Increase in HIV cases

An increase in HIV cases has been identified in the Dryden area in the last two weeks of August.  So far, the primary noted risk factors are injection drug use, sharing of needles/drug preparation equipment, recent incarceration, heterosexual sex, and men who have sex with men.

Please consider

• Testing for HIV and other infections such as syphilis and Hepatitis C for those who are at risk.
  • Unprotected sex with casual, anonymous partners, or multiple sexual partners
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Injection drug use (current or history of)
  • Recent incarceration, homeless or unstable housing
  • Reports having a sexual partner with any of the above risk factors
• Providing counselling on the importance of not sharing needles or drug preparation equipment and using condoms.  Both are available from the NWHU at no charge.

Notifying Northwestern Health Unit if you suspect a diagnosis of HIV

Resources for health care providers

Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections – What’s New – Canada.ca

Contact:
Dr. Kit Young Hoon
Medical Officer of Health
Northwestern Health Unit