HIV awareness: many fear what they don't understand, nurse says

Today marks World AIDS Day, and the end of Sudbury's HIV Awareness campaign. And while people with the virus are living longer, many still suffer from the stigma of the disease.

“You can't get HIV from giving somebody a kiss or drinking out of their cup,” said Renée Lefebvre is a nurse at Sudbury's sexual health clinic.

“So if you don't understand that part, you can become very fearful of getting it. Because people know that, with HIV, it can lead to AIDs and AIDs is often fatal.”

Lefebvre added HIV can be prevented if people use protection during intercourse and avoid sharing needles.

The Sudbury and District Health Unit reports about 20 people test positive for HIV in the city every year, and roughly two people test positive for AIDS on a yearly basis.

When Andrea Thompson’s sister died, she didn't just die from HIV. Thompson said she was also struggling with depression.

"She felt like she couldn't turn to anybody. She felt like everyone thought she was dirty."

Thompson said her sister, Alisha, lived with the virus for three years, and came up to Sudbury from Parry Sound for treatment.

Alisha died at the age of 22, after she stopped taking her medication.

At first, Thompson said, she didn't want to disclose her sister's cause of death.

"I told everybody that her heart stopped because I was afraid."

Thompson has found the courage to write a blog about her sister's journey with HIV.

She said her goal is to change people's outlook on the virus.