HIV-related stigma and discrimination refer to prejudice, negative attitudes, and abuse directed at people living with HIV and AIDS. In 35% of countries with available data including Nigeria, over 50% of people report having discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV. Many people who are HIV-positive can now live much longer, healthier lives when regularly taking antiretroviral treatment. In 1996, the total life expectancy for a 20-year-old person with HIV was 39 years. In 2011, the total life expectancy bumped up to about 70 years as a result of HIV treatment even in Nigeria. Dating can be tricky for anyone, but if you are living with HIV (HIV+), you have some extra things to think about especially in Nigeria. Two important things to consider are:
- Whom do I date (positive or negative person)?
- When do I tell him/her?
For many women living with HIV, the big issue is disclosure. How and when do you tell? There is no one easy or perfect way to tell someone you are living with HIV. Often, it is not how or when you tell, but whom you tell. If a potential partner is going to find your status unacceptable, it may not matter when you tell him/her. Similarly, if a person is going to accept you and your diagnosis, the timing of disclosure may not matter (as long as you tell before having sex). If you are looking for a positive partner, consider going to places (online and in person) where you will meet other people living with HIV. These are the top dating sites for HIV positive singles in Nigeria:
PLconnect is a COMMUNITY where people living with HIV/AIDS meet and connect to build lasting relationships, psychological and social support systems. As a matter of fact, PLconnect is the No.1 dating site specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. They connect people living with HIV/AIDS by promoting concordant relationships which they believe will stem the tide and reduce further spread of the virus. They are not only focused on you finding love, they also help you build a support system where you can have access to PL counselors to guide you through the journey.
HIV Dating Nigeria is another HIV dating site in Nigeria that helps HIV+ men and women connect with each other for friendship and dating. This service allows you to contact more than one person at once, and to get to know individuals whom you’d never meet in person (for example, people from other towns and areas, other than your own). In addition, you’ll be able to find someone who shares your interests. You can meet like-minded people for dating; you can find open-minded people for friendship and small talk; you can find companions who have the same hobbies and interests as yourself. You don’t even have to limit yourself to just one person, just contact a few people who seem to be a good match for a nice date and see who’s the best (and who will respond and be interested in meeting you). Their 100% Free basic membership allows you to browse the site, view profiles, send flirts, and modify your profile. Charges will accrue if you purchase a premium membership which is offered upon completion of your profile.
The Nigerian HIV singles dating platform is a Facebook site where you can connect and get linked with HIV-positive men and women for dating purposes and marriage. The group is linked to IBM HIV dating Nigeria /Africa, Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, and many others. Although we are unable to verify the credibility of this Facebook group, it is currently one of the dating sites for HIV-positive singles in Nigeria.
Naija Planet is one of the best dating sites in Nigeria. It is not an exclusive HIV dating site but open to everyone irrespective of your HIV status. The statistics of this website say that almost all users found a romantic relationship, which led to marriage and happy living. A person of every gender can look for the second half among the thousands of profiles on the site. Moreover, the system has a geo-location function: you can seek a free HIV + man or woman next to you. As a free online dating community, chatting with ladies & guys, and using its endless dating services is 100% free.
Has about 980,000 registered members who use it regularly for seeking their second half. This site is open to everyone including persons living with HIV. The process of registration lasts 1-2 minutes, after which a user is expected to provide detailed information about himself or herself and upload a photo. The main benefit of Flirt Naija is the mobile App: it means that you can chat with other users even from the comfort of your home or office.
HIV Dating Tips For HIV Positive Persons
- If you date a person NOT living with HIV, Consider having “the talk” about your status well before you find yourself in a sexual situation. Tell the other person when you are both sober
- Read up on HIV, safer sex, treatment as prevention, and HIV transmission. It will make it easier for you to talk about living with HIV.
- If you date a person who is already living with HIV, do not spend so much time caring for him or her that you do not care for yourself.
- If you are already in a relationship and you are concerned about a really negative or possibly violent reaction, consider disclosing in a public place or with a friend present
- It is important to get advice from those who have done this before. Attend a support group for women living with HIV and ask others how they handle disclosure and dating.
- Always be prepared for rejection. It is important to remember that dating is a process of finding the right person for you. Whether or not you are living with HIV, dating almost always includes some rejection and almost everyone has some trial runs before finding that special person!
Frequently Asked Questions
Living with HIV today is not a death sentence, in this section, we will tackle the questions and misconceptions about relationships with persons living with HIV:
Can you have a healthy relationship with someone living with HIV?
By practicing sex with condoms, it’s possible to have a healthy and complete romantic relationship with someone living with HIV. If someone with HIV has an undetectable viral load, they can’t transmit HIV to others. This is another important way the partner without HIV is protected against the virus.
Is it safe to date someone with HIV?
The risk of dating someone who is HIV-positive is severely misunderstood. You may think that dating an HIV-positive man increases your risk of infection. In fact, it likely does the opposite. Many people date blindly without knowing what disease their partner is carrying, knowing the status of somebody helps you take precautionary measures. SEE: National Guidelines For HIV Treatment In Nigeria 2016
Can a Person living with HIV marry?
Yes, Being in love, going steady, or even getting married does not automatically protect you from HIV. You can only get HIV from someone who is infected with HIV, and even then only if you are involved in risky activities that can spread the virus.
Can two HIV-negative partners get HIV?
HIV has to be present for any risk of transmission. If both partners are HIV-negative, then the transmission cannot occur.
Can you kiss someone with HIV?
Contact between broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes and HIV-infected blood or blood-contaminated body fluids. Deep, open-mouth kissing if both partners have sores or bleeding gums and blood from the HIV-positive partner gets into the bloodstream of the HIV-negative partner. HIV is not spread through saliva.
Can you get STDs from kissing?
Only certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are transmittable through kissing. Two common ones are herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). … The best way to avoid getting an STD from kissing is to have a direct, transparent conversation about it with your partner. HIV Treatment Centers In Nigeria.
