Telling your partner your HIV status
Disclosing your HIV status is not an easy task, especially to your partner. The KZN Department of Health shares some valuable advice...
One of the key things to help a relationship thrive is to be open and honest. However, disclosing your HIV status carries a great risk, therefore it can never be easy.
Once you have disclosed your status, you can never take it back and many people fear judgement and rejection that can come as a result. If you’re battling to tell your partner, our guest has some valuable insights to share.
For more information on testing, please visit http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/testing.htm.
“Hi, I hope you found our last chat useful and helpful in making the right decision about your health and the future.
Today we are talking about the biggy: Telling a partner about your HIV status when you are in a relationship.
Many people find it hard to tell a partner about their HIV status. While some people do react badly to news that their partner is HIV positive, others offer support.
There is not always enough trust and openness in relationships for people to feel they can tell their partner.
Here are a few tips:
- Be selective. It’s your choice and your right
- No need to apologise. You have a virus. You don’t have anything to apologise for, simply because you are HIV positive.
- Keep it simple. Just stick to the facts. You don’t have to tell the story of your life.
- Avoid isolating yourself. If you are unable to tell close friends, family members or other loved ones about your HIV status, allow yourself to draw upon the support and experience of others in the HIV community.
- Go with your gut. There’s no perfect road map for how to disclose your status. Trust your instinct, not your fears.
- Relax. Millions of others have dealt with this experience and have found their way through it. You will get through it too.
Remember: It’s your journey so make the right choices for yourself, first. Starting and staying on HIV treatment can lead to a normal and healthy life.”
This health feature is brought to you by the KZN Health Department.
For more information on HIV/Aids and the KZN Health Department, visit http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/hivandaids.htm.
Main image courtesy of iStock