Living with HIV does not mean that you cannot continue to live the life you had before. Many people that have HIV are still able to have fulfilling relationships with others.

Although it can be very stressful to start dating after being diagnosed with HIV, there are some simple things to keep in mind that will help make the experience less stressful.

One of the stresses that one might experience is the fear of infecting others. An easy way to work around this fear is to date only other HIV-infected people. There are many ways to meet others such as through support meetings or HIV-positive dating services (which you can find on the internet). But be aware, although you are dating other HIV-infected people, it does not give you an excuse to ignore safe sex practices. To prevent the risk of re-infection, safe sex and condoms should be a part of every sexual encounter.

The diagnosis of HIV does not mean the end of the world and it does not mean that you have to give up dating.

It is true that going HIV dating is somewhat a daunting task especially for those who are just diagnosed but HIV should not hinder you from finding the right person that will accompany you as you journey your life.

Here are some things that you should do in HIV Dating:

1. Fully acknowledge to the people around you that you are HIV positive. And this include to your possible date or partner.

HIV dating should also mean being responsible to yourself and to your partner. The first thing that should be done in case an HIV positive decide to HIV dating is to fully acknowledge to his or her partner that he or she is infected with HIV.

Some states in the U.S require an infected person to fully disclose his or her status for failing so might cause a criminal actions against the individual. So it is better that you disclose early on your status to the individual that you are an HIV positive. And don�t ever do any acts of unprotected sex prior your disclosure. Be responsible.

Be ready to accept the reaction upon your disclosure, there are times that you might feel misunderstood or there are instances that you are accepted. Just remember the important thing is that you have been honest with yourself and your date.

2. Abstain from Sex

It is better that you and your date or partner avoids any sex as this is the perfect way to avoid spreading it to others but if your date/partner accepts you and understand very well the risks, and you later decide to get intimate, make sure that you share protected sex.

3. Use condoms correctly and consistently.

Condoms should be properly used because not proper use of condoms can cause decrease its protective effects. This should be properly disposed for its every use.

4. Use protection during oral sex.

A dental gam should be used in engaging with oral sex with HIV infected persons. These oral gams should be properly disposed after its use and do not reuse this items again.

Latest statistics of 2007 shows that people living with HIV around the world had reached 33.2 million to which adult HIV cases are numbered to 30.8 million while 15.4 million of it is women. It is alarming that number of children under 15 years of age with HIV have reached 2.5 million.

The total new number of HIV cases for 2007 have reached to 2.5 million to which 2.1 million of it are adult cases while new cases of HIV under 15 years old have reached 420,000.

Total number of people who died because of AIDS in 2007 had reached to 2.1 million to which the adult deaths are recorded that reached 1.7 million while number of HIV children who died of AIDS was 330,000.

Understanding HIV Dating Recommended Resources:

University of California

Boise State University Search