Nova Scotia Health reports increase in HIV cases
Health officials in Nova Scotia say there has been an increase in the number of people diagnosed with HIV in the province this year.
Public Health says it typically sees 15 to 20 new cases of the virus in Nova Scotia per year, but it already had 20 to 25 cases by the end of last month.
In a news release Monday, Public Health says its data is subject to change due to changes in case status, delays in reporting, and/or data validation. Because of this, Nova Scotia Health says the data should be interpreted “with caution.”
Public Health says people newly diagnosed with HIV were traced back to social circles in the Halifax Regional Municipality, although they do live throughout the province.
The most prominent risk factors identified by Nova Scotia Health are men who have sex with men and people who use drugs, including those who share drug equipment.
The health authority stresses the importance of getting tested for HIV and for people to know their status if they are part of a population at increased risk of contracting the virus.
They also encourage those people to:
- Limit sexual partners until you know your status
- Use a latex condom every time you have sex, including oral and anal sex
- Don’t share needles and syringes used to inject drugs, steroids, vitamins, or for tattooing or body piercing. Also, don’t share equipment used to prepare drugs to be injected.
- Don’t share razors, sex toys, or toothbrushes because of the possibility of contact with blood
- If possible, keep a way to reach your sexual partners so they can be informed of potential exposure to HIV should you test positive
Nova Scotians can get tested for HIV testing through primary care providers, including family doctors, nurse practitioners, walk-in clinics, Virtual Care NS and at the following clinics:
- Halifax Sexual Health Centre
- QEII STI Clinic
- Clayton Park STI Clinic
- Newcomer Health Clinic in Halifax
- Wije’winen Health Centre in Halifax
- Ally Centre of Cape Breton in Sydney
- Truro Sexual Health Centre
- The Red Door in Kentville
- Tri-County Wellness Clinic in Yarmouth
Public Health adds that anyone who has recently been exposed to HIV, or who has multiple anonymous sexual contacts, should call them at 1-902-481-5824 to get appropriate testing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.