Living with HIV
Living with HIV has changed enormously in recent decades. With today's medicines, people with HIV live as long as anyone else and can have a sex life without the risk of transmitting the virus. But for many, an HIV diagnosis can still raise a lot of questions - about health, dating and how open you want to be.
Medication and checks
Modern HIV treatment is simple: usually one or two tablets a day. The medicine lowers the level of the virus in your body to undetectable levels, meaning you can't transmit HIV during sex - even without a condom. This is called U=U(undetectable = untransmittable) or uninfected HIV.
Regular check-ups with your doctor make sure that your treatment is working and that you are well. Most people go for check-ups a few times a year.
Duty to inform - what applies in Sweden?
In Sweden, people who are diagnosed with HIV information obligationat least to start with. This means that you are required by law to tell sexual partners that you are living with HIV.
If you have undetectable virus levels, your doctor should lift your obligation to inform. This means that you do not have to tell other people you sleep with about your status. You also don't have to use a condom during sex if you don't want to because of other infections. It will be up to you to decide. Make sure you talk to your doctor about what applies to you, and that it is written in your medical record that your duty of disclosure has been lifted.
To be open - or not
How open you want to be about your HIV status is entirely up to you. Some people are completely open, others choose to tell only those closest to them. There is no right or wrong way - only what feels best for you.
Dating apps like Grindr or Scruff allow you to choose to print your status in your profile if you wish. Many HIV-positive people indicate "U=U" to show that they cannot transmit the virus. But you are under no obligation to write anything at all about your status.
Sex, lust and HIV
HIV should never be a barrier to enjoying sex and intimacy. Thanks to HIV freedom, you can have sex just like everyone else. For many, an HIV diagnosis means a chance to explore their sexuality again, without the fear of contracting HIV.
If you want to meet other people living with HIV, you can join patient organizations like the Posithiva Group or search on social media. And no matter who you sleep with - let your desire rule, not your status.
HIV does not change who you are. You're still you - sexy, desirable and worth all the pleasure you want!
