February 13, 2008

HIV-Positive People Want Sex and Children

Many current HIV programs ignore both the sexual needs of HIV-positive people and motherhood desires of HIV-positive women, said a group of positive women during the third Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights, held in Abuja, Nigeria, the week of February 4, reports the global news agency Inter Press Service (IPS)/AllAfrica.com (allafrica.com, 2/8)

The women said that many initiatives that focus on prevention and treatment fail to acknowledge the fact that many HIV-positive people lead full, healthy lives and desire a fulfilling sex life, or want to have children.

“The epidemic has evolved. HIV-infected people are not dying; we are living and we are having sex,” Beatrice Were, an activist in Uganda for the Global AIDS Alliance, said in the article.

The women say that often times, health care workers are surprised when they find out that an HIV-positive person is interested in, or having, sex. “Health care workers try to force their moral values on other people, but in reality people will not stop having sex,” said Anne Ntombela, the International Community of Women Living With HIV/AIDS program director for South Africa. “They would be better served if they were told how to have safer sex, rather than not to engage in sex at all.”

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WN, Gaborone, 2008-03-14 11:20:05
I was diagnosed with HIV when I was 2 months pregnant with my now 7 1/2 year old. I had options of aborting him but I opted 2 keep him, take precautionary measures 4 me & him. Its the best decision I ever made. He has brought such joy into my life, Ave no regrets about keeping him. Even when his dad who infected me dumped us, there was reason to continue fighting on. He is negative and I recently went on meds. No reason why you should'nt enjoy sex and have kids. HIV is not a death sentence!

April, Austin, 2008-03-07 22:28:06
What I find to be rediculous is that we constantly hear about new treatments, but we rarely hear about new means of prevention. As the HIV- partner in my relationship, I would also like to have a 'normal' sex life.

Noni, Pietermaritzburg, 2008-02-20 08:02:34
The issue raised by this article is so true. As an hiv +ve lady I still have feelings for sex. There is a much needed focus on sex issues for positive people.

thecosmicdiva, Montana, 2008-02-18 15:54:14
Having partners has been less than impressive its not comforting to think you can kill people with love... though I have dealt with much control, judgement and descrimination for being pregnant while HIV+ despite the fact that I am immaculately healthy, have been told I am super immune, and have never had a viral load. It will be a great day when here in america we can regain our right to live normal lives, and not be policed by social workers making sure we feel isolated and under the microscop

DEE, BRADENTON, 2008-02-18 02:40:19
Being a HIV+ woman does not stop men from wanting me sexually.My boyfriend who is HIV- will not wear a condom and wants me to have his baby.There are ways to birth babies without giving them HIV if careful.It's all about the choices we make.

Passionatelover, Houston, 2008-02-17 11:52:35
My sex drive may not be as strong as it was at 18, but I still desire intimate encounters w/women and the wonderful rush of pleasure we share. Sexual desire is a part of life and U can play safe and have wonderful, fulfilling encounters. Desire never goes away and it is a nessasary part of a good life. Touching, caressing, kissing and orgasm are the most natural part of life.

Ujjwal Baral, Kathmandu,Nepal, 2008-02-17 01:15:24
Pregnancy prolongs disease progression,HIV positive want sex and children,,etc these may be the findings of the research but those PLHIVs on Nevirapine??It decreases the sexual intrest,not only ART but the time when I was diagnosed positive since then my sexual disire is decreased butr it may be mu misconception but I am sure that Positives are not as much active in sexual activities as normal individuals,Am I right? PLHIV from Nepal

Donnie, seattle, 2008-02-16 04:24:13
as a male living with hiv, I can understand the above article and agree, but this needs to happen here in the united states as well. we need to quit talking about doing something and do it!

Donnie, seattle, 2008-02-16 04:20:35
I have been trying to tell lots of people about this very same thing. and no one even talks about it. I agree this needs to happen in Africa, but it really needs to happen here in the untied States. we may have the virus, but we are not dead and we are regluar people. something should be done about this, and not just talked about!! I realize there aredating personals out there, but not everyone ,especially women want to talk about there hiv status and that is part of the problem.

Yvette Raphael, Gauteng SA, 2008-02-15 02:37:19
As a person living with HIV and a Counsellor. I have seen how people after being diagnosed Poz just give up on life because of reasons stated above i think we should all take individual responsiblity for our own sex life and those with whom we engage with take resposibility to have children or not Poz people have the right to have children if they choose to and intend to be there for them It is not just about us but the babies too Think carefully about this the choice is urs

Susan, Boston, MA, 2008-02-14 21:04:13
This is news?? I've been wondering for years when people would realize that including HIV+ people in every aspect of life is just as important as prevention.

Leon, coltong, calif, 2008-02-14 13:58:54
Hiv-Positive male, would love to have sex and have children but being a health provider have practice Abstaince, since wife is allergic to latex condom, tried them and have had condom break to the point of concern. What is safe and un-safe nothing...prevention of the virsus and accountablilty.what does it profit to jeapordize someones life...living as man and woman in the same house, but missing out what the lord intended love, sex, children. who is right, until a cure is found.