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It's Different Now.

Forget what you've heard about high–risk groups. HIV doesn't discriminate – and neither do we. If you've ever had sex, you will now be offered an HIV test as part of your routine healthcare, plain and simple. It's a small change that can make a big difference in quality of life for you and for all of us. Because living with HIV is different now, but only if you know. So get the facts. Then get the test.

Get the facts, then say yes to the test.

It's Different Now is sponsored by the STOP HIV/AIDS project, a pilot project funded by the Government of British Columbia supporting Vancouver Coastal Health, Northern Health, the Provincial Health Services Authority, Providence Health Care, and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. The STOP HIV/AIDS project aims to expand HIV testing, treatment, and support in British Columbia.

Your mom thinks you're special.
We Don't.

If you're offered the HIV test as part of a routine exam or blood test, that's exactly what it is – routine. You are not being singled out. You are not being judged. Everyone who's ever had sex should be tested for HIV. You. Your neighbors. Everyone.

It's Different Now - Réka Gustafson

Dr. Reka Gustafson is a Medical Health Officer and Director of Communicable Disease Control in Vancouver and is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. She is involved in surveillance, prevention and control of communicable diseases, outbreak management, and refugee health.

It's Different Now - Julio Montaner

Dr. Julio Montaner is the Director of the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the Chair in AIDS Research and Head of Division of AIDS in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC, and the Past-President of the International AIDS Society (IAS).

It's Your Choice.

HIV testing is voluntary, just like any other blood tests or medical treatment. We might not think you're special, but we know you're smart. It's your choice. Choose your health.

Treatment is simpler and more effective.

Diagnosed early, HIV is a treatable chronic infection. Treatment is simpler and more effective than ever before. For some, treatment is just one pill a day. Medication keeps an immune system strong and lowers the chances of passing the virus to others. Add regular check–ups and common–sense prevention and an HIV–positive person can lead a long, full life.

It's Different Now - Mark Hull

Dr. Mark Hull discusses how HIV treatment is different now. Dr. Mark Hull is a Researcher at the AIDS Research Program, a collaboration between St. Paul's Hospital and UBC, and Medicine Attending at the 10C AIDS Ward, a collaboration between the BC-CfE and Providence Health Care.

One pill is good. No pill is better.

The advances in HIV treatment are something to celebrate, but we'd rather be celebrating a year with zero new infections. We can get there with routine HIV testing. Know your status and help stop HIV.

A lot about HIV has changed,
including the way we test for it.

A needle is still usually required – sorry – but after that it gets easy. They'll take some blood and send it off to the lab along with any other routine blood tests. Results can take about a week, your doctor or nurse will let you know how you can find out your results.

It's Different Now - Meaghan Thumath

Meaghan Thumath is a registered nurse and has been involved in HIV/AIDS work since 1994 with an expertise in gender, harm reduction and public health. She is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia where she teaches courses on HIV treatment, care and prevention and is currently the Clinical Practice Leader for HIV/AIDS with Vancouver Coastal Health.

Don't like waiting?

Take matters into your own hands. At rapid screening sites, a drop of blood from your finger and about 60 seconds are all that's needed. No fuss, no drama. In about the time it takes get a cup of coffee, you will have a result.

Find an HIV testing clinic near you.

Vancouver offers both drop-in clinics and clinics that require an appointment, so call ahead to find the right clinic for you.


View HIV Testing Clinics in a larger map

Test sooner, live longer.

Let's get one thing straight: HIV does not have to be the death sentence it once was. But too often, people are diagnosed late and the virus has already compromised their immune system. And untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS. But if diagnosed early, HIV is a treatable chronic condition. People with treated HIV have sex, raise children, start businesses, run marathons, learn to salsa, sing karaoke... Nobody wants HIV, but you can live with it, and live well.

It's Different Now - Denise Becker

Denise Becker is an HIV positive activist & author. She went public with her diagnosis in 1996 to combat many misconceptions about HIV and has discussed hardships faced by women and children infected and affected by HIV, Denise founded the Hummingbird Kids Society to help families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2002, Denise received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for her service to the HIV community.

1 in 4 HIV–positive people don't know they have it.

This is your health, so we aren't going to sugarcoat it. Not knowing your HIV status puts your health and the health of others at risk. It can take years for HIV symptoms to show. The earlier it's diagnosed, the better the chances that treatment can protect the immune system, prevent other illnesses, and greatly lower the risk of passing the virus along to others. Get the test and give yourself the best chance at a long, full life.

Don't worry.
You're just a number to us.

When you get tested for HIV, it's nobody's business but your own. If you'd rather not use your name on the lab form, talk to your healthcare provider about an alternative you feel comfortable with. Your healthcare provider will collect basic information, such as age and gender. This data helps us understand the impact of HIV on the community.

We're on a strictly need–to–know basis.

Positive test results are shared with public health doctors and your health care team for the sole purpose of getting everyone the support they need. A local public health nurse can help notify partners in a respectful way, without identifying you. Test results are stored on healthcare and other databases. If you have any questions regarding your privacy, please contact the Vancouver Coastal Health privacy office at privacy@vch.ca. The most important thing is that you know your status. So say yes to the test.

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