Mixed-Status (HIV-Positive/Negative) Couples

Articles | Research | First-Person Stories

Is pursuing a relationship with an HIVer completely insane? How many magnetic couples like us are there?
I am confused about whether I should disclose my status to sexual partners. On one hand, I feel obligated to protect them, but I also feel that I have a right to privacy. What do you think?
About two months into my current relationship I found out I was positive. Even though my partner and I have stayed together -- and he says he's comfortable with us being a magnetic couple --- his attitude towards sex has totally changed. What should I do?
I just met the man of my dreams, and he's positive. He says he's undetectable and strict with his meds. What does that mean for us?

» More questions

Articles

FAQs About Mixed-Status Relationships (Regularly Updated)
From The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums
Rejected Because of Your HIV Status? (September/October 2007)
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
What's Love Got to Do With It? The Emotional Side of Serodiscordant Relationships (May/June 2007)
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
When Opposites Attract: Stories From Mixed-Status Couples (March/April 2007)
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In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
Dating, Youth and HIV: From Both Sides (July/August 2006)
Interviews with Raven Lopez, an HIV-positive 16-year-old girl, and Aaron Parker, an HIV-negative 16-year-old boy.
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In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
Reach Out and Teach Others (June 2006)
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In WORLD Newsletter, from Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases
"By the Way, I'm Poz" (July 2004)
Although Steve McMahon's romantic relationship ended the night he told his boyfriend he was HIV positive, he has no regrets.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Mixed HIV Status Couples: Moving From Research to Practice (July 2004)
Dr. Robert Remien briefly discusses some of the main issues that face mixed-status couples, and offers some advice on how to deal with them.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Tell and Kiss: Dating and Disclosure (July 2004)
Social worker Michael Mancilla offers advice for anyone who's jittery about disclosing their HIV status to an HIV-negative partner.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
The Disclosure Dilemma: Telling Your Family Your Partner Has HIV (July 2004)
Advice from psychologist Dr. J. "Buzz" von Ornsteiner for HIV-negative people in a mixed-status relationship.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
There's a Lid for Every Pot (July 2004)
Eric Rodriguez, Executive Director of Body Positive, writes about the inexplicable synergy of his four-year relationship with an HIV-negative man.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Baring Our Souls (July/August 2003)
Two gay British men -- one HIV positive and one HIV negative -- discuss why they've decided to keep using condoms.
In Positive Nation
Pickett Fences: Getting to Know You (March/April 2003)
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In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
One Positive, One Negative: Both Happy (2002)
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From PositiveWords
When Only One of You Doesn't Test Poz (January/February 2002)
A closer look at mixed-status gay relationships.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Pregnancy in Serodiscordant Couples (November 2001)
In HIV Treatment ALERTS!, from The Center for AIDS
The SMART Couples Project: Factsheet (August 2001)
From SMART Couples Project
The SMART Couples Project: Frequently Asked Questions (August 2001)
From SMART Couples Project
A Patient Asks that You Prescribe a Regimen for Him in an Effort to Reduce the Risk of Viral Transmission to His Partner. Will You Prescribe a Regimen for Him? (December 2000)
HIV-treating physicians in Houston express their professional opinions on the public health implications of antiretroviral therapy.
In Research Initiative/Treatment Action!, from The Center for AIDS
Losing Your Husband to AIDS (December 1997)
Elizabeth Avedon shares her experience.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Mixed-HIV Status Couples: Navigating the Challenges of Everyday Life (October 1997)
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Magnetic Marriages: When Positive and Negative Attract (October 1996)
In Body Positive, from Body Positive

Research

HIV-Positive Women in U.S. Struggle to Insist on Condom Use (July 2, 2007)
Study finds many HIV-negative men are unwilling to use condoms in a relationship with a woman they know is HIV positive.
From aidsmap.com
Intrauterine Insemination in HIV-Serodiscordant Couple for Male HIV Infection (July 8, 2002)
In The XIV International AIDS Conference, from The Body PRO
Research With Couples of Mixed HIV Status (January/February 2002)
Identifying mutual concerns, fostering mutual care-taking.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Genetic, Virological, and Immunological Characterization of a Cohort of Long-Term Monogamous HIV-Discordant Couples (February 5, 2001)
Coverage provided by Pablo Tebas, M.D.
In The 8th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Genetic, Virological, and Immunological Characterization of a Cohort of Long-Term Monogamous HIV-Discordant Couples (February 5, 2001)
Coverage provided by Benjamin Young, M.D.
In The 8th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Couples Study in Haiti Shows Reduction in Heterosexual HIV Transmission (August 26, 1996)
From U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

First-Person Stories

A Personal Story (September/October 2008)
Learning to live and love, all over again.
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
When Your Partner is HIV Positive (May 14, 2007)
In The Times
Paula Peterson and Griff Butler (2003)
In this excerpt from Roslyn Banish's book, an HIV-positive woman and her husband, who is negative, talk about their relationship, family life and raising their young son.
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In Focus on Living: Portraits of Americans With HIV and AIDS, from University of Massachusetts Press