Testing and Relationships

In Scotland, gay and bisexual men make up the group most at risk of HIV infection. Many gay and bisexual men in relationships assume that their HIV status is the same as their partner's, despite neither having been tested.

HIV transmission is especially important for people in partnerships who may stop practising safer sex on the assumption that since they are both well, neither of them is HIV positive. The only way to be sure about your HIV status is to go for a test. HIV transmission is a risk to everyone who is having unprotected sex if either is unsure of their status.

For men in relationships it can be difficult when one partner tests, or wants to test and the other doesn't. It's important to try and understand each other's decisions and respect individual choices in the matter. However if you decide to stop using condoms on the assumption that you are either both positive, or both negative, then you are taking a risk. You could be putting either yourself or your partner at risk of infection with HIV.

If you are in a relationship and you decide you want to continue using condoms, it doesn’t mean you don’t love your partner, or trust him, or are not committed to him - it just means you are making your own choices about your sexual health.

You should not make assumptions about your partner’s or your own HIV status.