Positivity about sex 'fantastic,' says PEERS Alliance, but don't lose sight of HIV protection

While P.E.I.'s rate of HIV infection appears to be holding steady amid an increase in the national average, Islanders are being urged to take measures to keep the virus from spreading.

According to the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet, Canada saw a 35 per cent increase in HIV infections from 2022 to 2023.

But Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief public health officer, said the Island has held steady since 2018 with about three to seven new cases per year.

"Although the cases have not been on the rise here in P.E.I., it is concerning that rates are increasing in other parts of Canada. So it's important that Islanders take certain steps to reduce the risk of acquiring or spreading HIV."

Scott Alan, men's sexual health program co-ordinator for PEERS Alliance, agreed. They said P.E.I. could be susceptible because it is such a popular travel destination. 

"A lot of people these days are a lot more sex-positive and sex-free and that's fantastic. But making sure that they have access to ways to protect themselves and know how to protect themselves and know where to get tested and how to get tested and all of that is also really important."

P.E.I. offers pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxes as well as HIV treatment at no cost. The drugs are available through the sexual health clinic or through a primary health provider.

Condoms are also recommended as a preventative measure.

Alan said education, including the history of HIV and AIDS, is another key in preventing increased transmission. PEERS Alliance has an annual vigil for people who died with the condition.

"A big reason why I think we're seeing an uptick in cases across Canada is because a lot of the younger generation didn't live through the AIDS epidemic and didn't see all of their friends die next to them, which, you know, it didn't leave that impact on the younger generation, for the better," they said.

Unprotected sex isn't the only way HIV can spread. People should also avoid sharing intravenous needles.

It's important that people with HIV maintain a healthy diet, Alan said. PEERS Alliance runs a nutrition program for about 25 people, and is hoping to secure more government funding to keep it going.

But that's just one of the challenges of living with HIV in today's world, Alan said.

"It is now a virus that you can live with. And it's not so much the virus itself, it's the stigma — that's the disease right now that hurts a lot more people than anything."