Strategic positioning
Having an HIV negative 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 transmitting the virus, be sure that your partner is not receiving your semen or vaginal fluids into their body without protection. For example, this would mean avoiding being the “top” during unprotected anal sex.

Communication
Talking with your negative 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 and an HIV negative partner have exchanged blood, semen, or vaginal secretions, they should look into getting a Rapid HIV Test. With this test, a person can have their results in the same day. See “Standard testing vs. Rapid Testing” for more information and availability.