Question
Can I get married if I am HIV positive?
14 January 2008. Related: All topics, Living with HIV long-term, Newly diagnosed.
Hi. Can I marry if I am HIV positive? I am only 28 male, and just diagnosed. How long I can live if I start HAART in future? Do you also think there will be more treatement options in future? Thank you
Answer
Yes, most countries have no legal obstacles against marriage, though many countries do have laws that saw you need to tell your partner about your HIV status. There are some countries where discrimination limits human rights, so it also depends where you live.
Many HIV positive men get married – to partners who are either HIV positive or HIV negative. If their partner is HIV-negative it is still possible to have children
Hi Viren, this depends on where you live. Some countries require by law that your status is disclosed before getting married.
Hi josh, so can i hide my hiv status from my partner and get marry ? Is there a chances that she would come to know that in future and if i have unprotected sex with her with an undetectable viral load so is it 100% safe that she will not catch the virus ?
Yes josh. i am on treatment since many years and recently i had done a viral load which is undetectable below 20 copies. So does it mean without protection i cant pass the virus to my partner at all and can plan a family too ?
Hi Viren, this is what it means. Being on treatment with a suppressed viral load means it is impossible to pass on HIV via sex. You can’t pass on HIV to your partner and you can plan a family.
Hi Viren, are you on treatment? and do you know your viral load? If you have a viral load below 200/undetectable and are on treatment there is no risk to your family. This would mean you are unable to pass on HIV and there is no risk to their health.
This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Hi @josh i am from india and only i know about my positive status as of now but i am affraid that after marriage when we usually decide to have a baby that time if i go for blood test then my wife and family would come to know about this and i really dont want to reveal this because it will affect there health and reputation in family and city where i live
Hi Viren, yes you can marry someone HIV negative. Depending on where you live there are some countries in which you are required to disclose your status before marriage. As you are now undetectable there is no risk to your partner. This also means it would be safe to try for children with no risk of transmission.
Being on treatment with an undetectable viral load means HIV is not impacting your health. You can continue leading a healthy lifestyle and it is okay to date/meet people to marry who are HIV negative.
Hi am viren, i am 31 years old and positive since 7 years with viral load Undetectable. Can i marry an hiv negative women and live a safe and healthy lifestyle and have a family too ? I am afraid to disclose my status.
Hi Kim, please see here for information about transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi am Kim I had sex with hiv patient a month ago and I want to know if i will be effected even if I start taking medication earlier