Many people fear being rejected or that the relationship might change. These feelings are normal. But try to remember: if someone reacts badly, it’s often because they don’t really understand HIV.

You can’t always predict how someone will respond- but giving them the right information can help them understand and support you.

Should I Tell My Partner I Have HIV?

Choosing to tell someone you have HIV is a personal decision. But if you’ve had unprotected sex with your partner, it’s a good idea to let them know so they can get tested too.

When’s the Right Time to Tell Them?

There’s no perfect moment- it depends on what feels right for you. Some people living with HIV find it helpful to be honest early in a new relationship. That way, you won’t invest time in someone who may not be supportive. If you found out about your HIV status while already in a relationship, it’s best to talk to your partner sooner rather than later so they can get tested.

What Should I Say?

Helping your partner understand the truth about HIV can make the conversation easier and reduce fear. Try to share simple facts, like:

• With proper treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives.
  
• Treatment can lower the amount of HIV in your body to a level where it can’t be passed to others (this is called being undetectable).
  
• If you’re undetectable, use condoms, or your partner takes PrEP, you can have sex without passing on HIV.
  
• You can still have children without passing HIV to your partner or baby.
  

Being open, calm, and honest can go a long way in helping your partner understand and support you.

Should I Tell My Partner to Get an HIV Test?

Yes, definitely. If you’ve had unprotected sex with your partner, it’s important they get tested for HIV too. However, if the sex happened very recently, they may need to wait a few weeks before testing to get an accurate result. A doctor or nurse can help them figure out the right time to take the test based on when the unprotected sex happened.

Ready to Talk About Your Status?

Here are some helpful questions you can use to start the conversation with your partner. You can use them in person, share them over WhatsApp, or post them on social media to help others start their own discussions. Talking about HIV openly is a powerful way to protect each other and stay informed.