Question
I’m having unprotected sex with my partner, I’m new to ARVs, are they at risk?
17 January 2018. Related: All topics, Disclosure, HIV transmission, Starting treatment.
I’ve been on meds for 4 months, but I’ve known about my status for 4 yrs. I’m having unprotected sex with my partner. I’m scared to tell him about my status. I’m not ready, but I’m worried about his health and also what will the ARVs that I’m taking do to his body?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
It is great that you are now on meds. This is both good for your health and will also protect your partner, if he is still HIV negative.
In many ways this gives you time to think about how to talk about HIV – because there is no longer a risk of transmission. However, it also sounds like it might have been stressful for you up to now and that it will continue to be stressful in the future.
Also, I don’t know anything about your partner and how he is likely to react, or even if he was likely to have been HIV positive before you both met.
You might both be lucky. It is common for only one partner in a couple to test positive, even if they have not been using condoms for years. But the only way to know is for him to take a test.
The ARV’s that you’re taking aren’t having any negative effect on your partner.