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World day of AIDS

Source: Álex Cámara / Getty

According to the AIDS Help organization, African Americans make up only 13.6% of the U.S. population, yet account for 52% of all new HIV/AIDS cases and 44% of new infections. Unless you’re consistently getting tested, you don’t know your status. Some never get tested because their scared or don’t want to know, while some get tested and and hide their results.

Unfortunately, there are people that have the disease (whichs now thanks to technology is NOT a death sentence). If you have the disease, you want to be loved and treated like the next person. Just because you have the disease, doesn’t mean you can’t be sexually active. However, if you do, you and your partner must be careful.

Some relationships are labeled as “Mixed Status” relationships, meaning, one partner is HIV negative, while the other is HIV positive. If you’re in a “mixed status” relationship, here are some ways you and your partner can be sexually active.

-Encourage your HIV-positive partner to get and stay on antiretroviral therapy (ART)

-Use condoms consistently and correctly.

-Choose less risky sexual behaviors.

-Talk to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

-Get tested for HIV.

-Get tested and treated for other STDs and encourage your partner to do the same

See more tips on reducing the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS if you’re in a “mixed-status” relationship, HERE.