Some areas prone to HIV mutations

Dear Dr. Roach: My local news outlet in Saskatchewan published a story on mutated strains of HIV present in my province being a concern to the medical community. As a sexually active adult, but not a user of injectable recreational drugs, what does this mean for me and other citizens? How are these strains different from regular HIV? Are they easier to catch? The article states that my province has the highest rate of HIV in North America! Should I be including HIV testing in my annual physical? — N.E.

HIV, the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome, remains of critical importance worldwide.

There are many different strains of HIV. It is constantly evolving, and there have been well-described episodes in different communities where rates of infectivity of the virus from sexual contact were much higher than expected. In the case of Saskatchewan in 2018, the virus has mutated — not so that it is easier to be transmitted, but so that it is more likely to destroy the body’s immune system more quickly once acquired.

Every sexually active adult should take steps to protect him or herself against HIV, but it’s particularly important for people in this area during this outbreak (even though most of this particular outbreak has been spread through injection drug use, according to public health officials).

Abstinence from sex is the only completely effective way to prevent sexually transmitted HIV. However, using a condom for any sexual activity, choosing partners wisely, getting yourself and your partner tested before engaging in sexual activity and taking medication prior to sexual activity (called “pre-exposure prophylaxis”) all are effective ways to reduce risk. Obviously, avoiding injection drugs is a good idea for many reasons.