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Common questions about... LIVIN G WIT H HIV
Young people living with HIV can have happy, successful and long lives, just like other young people who are not HIV positive. But learning how to live with HIV can mean you are dealing with more challenges than your friends.
Learning how to stay healthy with medication, how to talk about your HIV with others and how to explore relationships as a young person with HIV can be especially hard – par ticularly during your teenage years when you’re already experiencing lots of changes.
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I like sending sexy texts to my par tner, should I stop?
Sending messages about sex or sexy pictures to a boyfriend or girlfriend can be exciting and a fun par t of a relationship but remember, there are impor tant rules to keep you safe.
For some people ‘sexting’ is something they like to try out, but others may not feel comfor table with it, and they should never be made to do it. It’s impor tant to talk about this and, if you or your par tner doesn’t consent to receiving or sharing intimate pictures, it needs to stop.
Sending sexually explicit messages between young people under 18 is often against the law There may also be rules on the phone apps you use about the language and content you share (remember companies can check your messages so nothing is 100% private).
If you have discussed how you feel, and you are both happy messaging, you should discuss what type of things you are ok about sharing and also what happens to the messages. Are they deleted straight away?
Everyone reacts differently when they find out they have HIV, but many people feel worried, shocked, sad or angry, especially to begin with. Talking to other young people who are living with HIV, who are going through similar experiences, and may have the same questions or worries as you, can really help.
Many clinics and HIV organisations run peer support groups for people living with HIV to meet up, chat and offer advice and support.
There are also online forums, if you feel shy about meeting up with people or just prefer chatting online.
