Mixed Status Relationships

A mixed status relationship is one where one partner is living with HIV and the other is not. People in these relationships can face a number of challenges based on the fact that HIV is present in their relationship including worries about infecting their partner/being infected, dealing with health issues and illnesses, fear of rejection or abandonment, family planning and disclosure/privacy issues.

Talking about these challenges with people in similar situations or with your health adviser, specialist nurse, health care worker or other support worker can help couples in dealing with any difficulties and dilemmas that living in a mixed status relationship may present.

In Sheffield, the HIV specialist healthcare team on E-Floor at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital or the Health Advisers at GU Medicine can offer you support and the opportunity to talk about any issue you may have about your relationship e.g. disclosure, sex and sexual intimacy, dealing with HIV related stigma, communication and emotional/ practical issues.

You can contact The Specialist Nursing Team by calling 0114 271 1882 or by calling 0114 271 1900 and asking for bleep 2096.

You can contact the Health Advisers at GU Medicine by calling 0114 276 6928.

Some Common Themes

The NAM aidsmap website has some excellent advice and information for people who are in a mixed status relationship.

The website includes information for people who are either forming a new relationship or are diagnosed with HIV when already in a relationship.

Some of the issues they cover on their website are:

• Intimacy and sex
• Managing change
• Maintaining equality
• Dealing with uncertainty
• Fear of isolation, rejection and bereavement

You can find these pages here.

Other useful resources

• She to She website – Information and Resources for Women with HIV
• My HIV website

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