Dating someone with HIV?

You can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the virus from your partner by following certain guidelines. Here’s how to stay safe:

1. Ensure your partner is taking antiretroviral (ARV) medication. Research shows that HIV patients following a strict ARV regime are far less likely to transmit the virus to their partner than those not on treatment. Modern ARVs are better tolerated than earlier ARV medications, so there’s no excuse not to follow treatment protocols.

2. Make sure your partner takes the medication exactly as prescribed. Haphazard usage can result in rapid virus multiplication, increasing your partner’s viral load and putting you at risk of contracting the virus.

3. Check that your partner attends all scheduled appointments with their doctor. Better yet, join your partner for these appointments as a show of support and to learn as much as you can about the disease and the management thereof.

4. Know your partner’s viral load. The lower the load, the lower the risk of transmission. You have a right to know.

5. Use condoms correctly and consistently. Make sure the condoms are within their expiration date and keep them out of direct sunlight. Never use oil-based products such as Vaseline as lubrication, as these weaken the latex of condoms and reduce their efficacy. Only use water and silicon-based lubrication.

6. Avoid drinking alcohol and taking drugs. These impair judgment and may lead to you and your partner engaging in risky sexual behaviour without taking the necessary precautions.

7. Encourage open communication. HIV treatment might be a sensitive issue but it’s crucial that you’re able to discuss the disease with your partner from the get-go. If your partner is not willing to talk about it or stay on course with their treatment, then it may be in your best interests to end the relationship. Anyone who does not take your safety seriously is not a good candidate for a relationship.

Bankmed support

Bankmed offers all its members HIV counselling and testing across all plans, as well as an HIV programme for those who test positive for the disease. The programme covers ARV medication, blood tests, consultations, preventative care for pregnant women and post-exposure medication for those who have been exposed to the virus. For more information call Bankmed on 0800-226-5633 or e-mail hiv@bankmed.co.za.