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Key points

  • Living with HIV shouldn’t stop you from enjoying sex and physical intimacy.
  • Taking effective HIV treatment and maintaining an undetectable viral load ensures that you will not pass HIV on through sex. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable or U=U.
  • There are several ways to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV, including U=U, condoms and PrEP.
  • Deciding whether to tell sexual partners you have HIV can be difficult; there are many things to consider.
  • Sexual problems can be caused by both psychological and physical issues. Help and support are available for both.
  • People living with HIV can have babies who do not have HIV.
  • It is important to have regular sexual health check-ups to detect STIs. Most STIs can be treated or cured.

This booklet is about sex, intimacy and sexual health for people living with HIV. These are essential aspects of health and wellbeing for everyone, including people living with HIV.

The booklet is not intended to replace discussion with your doctor – or with other healthcare professionals, support agencies, your partners and friends. It may help you to decide what questions to ask, who to ask and where to find useful information.

Download the booklet

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HIV & sex
Krishen Samuel

Krishen Samuel

Editorial Consultant

Dr Krishen Samuel is a queer scholar whose work centres on HIV, race, gender, sexuality, and intersectional identities. After completing a master’s degree in Global Public Health and Policy in London, he earned a PhD in Health Behaviour and Community Health Promotion as a Fulbright scholar in the United States. He is the Executive Director of EquiDiverse Synergy, a specialist consultancy embedding equity and inclusion and delivering tailored, data-driven research insights for organisations. He currently lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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