STDs, Opportunistic Infections
Because of their potentially weakened immune system, HIV positive people are at an increased risk of infection. If you have a positive partner, you should do as much as possible to reduce their risk of getting an infection. This means sexually transmitted diseases, like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Genital Warts and Hepatitis B, but also includes other infections like the cold and the flu. If you have any of these infections, you should take significant steps, such as abstinence or consistent condom use, to reduce the transmission to your partner.

Strategic positioning
Having an HIV positive partner doesn’t mean you can’t have sex. Using a condom and lubrication during sex is the best way to protect both you and your partner. To reduce the risk of becoming infected, be sure that you are not receiving your partners’ semen or vaginal fluids into your body without protection. For example, this would mean avoiding being the “bottom” during unprotected anal sex.

Communication
Talking with your positive partner can help immensely to reduce HIV risk. Discuss what both of you are and are not comfortable doing together. Talk about condoms and sexually transmitted diseases. If necessary, seek counseling to help to overcome any communication barriers that may exist. Talking about HIV makes it much more manageable.

Condoms
Although they are not 100% effective, condoms are a good way to prevent HIV infection, as well as other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). For more information on condoms, see “Condoms.”

Lubrication: Adding lubrication to sexual activity can greatly increase both comfort and safety. Lubrication helps to reduce friction, thus reducing tearing of the skin. If this skin is broken, this can increase the risk for HIV infection. Lubricants come in both water-based and oil-based, but ONLY water-based lubrication should be used with condoms or latex barriers, because oil-based lubrication will cause the latex to break. Lubrication can be found wherever condoms are sold, usually right next to one another on the shelf. Popular water-based personal lubrication brand names are K-Y Jelly® and Astroglide®.

Rapid testing
If you have had an HIV positive partner and have exchanged blood, semen, or vaginal secretions, you should look into getting a Rapid HIV Test. With this test, you can have your results in the same day. See “Standard testing vs. Rapid Testing” for more information and availability.