Edwin J Bernard looks at the 'love triangle' in relationships where one partner has HIV
Relationships can be wonderful, but they aren't always easy. When one
partner is HIV positive and the other isn't - scientists call these 'serodiscordant'
relationships - they can get very complicated indeed.
Someone who has studied them is Robert Palmer, Acting Senior Advisor in
Sexual Health and HIV infection at The Greenway Centre, Newham General
Hospital, London. Last year, he interviewed 10 gay couples, together from
six months to 11 years. Some of the partners had tested positive during
the relationship; others had entered the relationship knowing they were
positive.
Says Palmer: "HIV is not a major issue to lots of couples, but there
will be a time when it will be, and it's a matter of being prepared."
Many people with HIV have already decided
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that they will only have sex and/or a relationship with someone else
who is positive.
"Deciding only to have a relationship with someone of a particular
HIV status can be problematic," says Palmer. "You're closing
a lot of doors, and even if HIV doesn't
become an issue in the relationship, something else may well do. You can't always be HIV focused."
