January 22, 2022 BY imani leave a comment
As if dealing with the stress of being HIV positive isn’t enough, you also have to take on the responsibility of “coming out” to your partner. Some people feel as though this conversation is unnecessary because they are being careful, using condoms, and taking their medication on time. However, you still owe it to yourself and your partner to be open and honest in issues regarding your and their health.
Having this conversation can be very stressful and intimidating. Even though we have access to countless sources of information, many people remain ignorant about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. You can’t predict your partner’s reaction or the outcome of the conversation. Here are some tips that should help you ease into it:
- Find the right time and place to have this conversation. Ideally, there should be no one around to disturb you. Give yourself and your partner plenty of time to process without having to rush off immediately after.
- Come prepared with solutions. Tell your partner about safe sex practices and HIV medication. Assure them that becoming infected with HIV is not as easy as they may think, especially if you are being careful.
- Talk to them about your treatment and what you’re doing to take care of your health. Talk about the medication that you’re taking and how it’s affecting your HIV status. Speak about long-term prospects and what living with HIV looks like for you.
There is always a possibility that your partner may react negatively to what you have to say. However, they can also become your support system. Have trust that most people will respect your decision to be open with them. Try to have patience amidst all of this. Your partner may have a hard time dealing with your diagnosis and they will need some time to wrap their head around it.