Questions and Answers about HIV and Socializing
People newly diagnosed with HIV have many similar questions about socializing. We answer those questions here as we receive them from people like you. If you don't find what you're looking for, ask us.
Question: Do I have to practice safe sex when I'm with an HIV-positive partner?
Answer: Yes. The virus mutates and so there are countless variations. Unsafe sex can lead to re-infection, meaning a person ends up with two or more versions of the virus. Medication that worked before could stop working. The usual concerns about other STDs continue also.
Question: How do I find HIV friends (in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Halifax, and other places)?
Answer: Use Poz Social to find group events for people living with HIV in your city, or choose an HIV dating site to look for a Poz partner for love and romance!
Question: Does online dating work? How can I improve my chances of finding a partner?
Answer: Yes, it works when you use online dating sites properly. Your personal profile is your opportunity to sell yourself. Write an attractive personal profile that puts you in good light and reflects who you really are.
You want to attract a mate who likes you, not a fictional character you created. After writing your profile, read it objectively and ask yourself, "would I date this person?" If you answer no then you have more work to do. When you're happy with it, be patient waiting for responses. Of course, you should respond to other people's ads too.
Question: How many people are living with HIV in Canada?
Answer: In 2008, the number of people living with HIV in Canada was estimated to be 65,000.
Between one-quarter and one-third of these people were unaware of their status, which means they did not seek medical treatment and had unprotected sex at the same rate as everyone else in society.
Piecing together stats from different sources and reading between the lines, we estimate 25% were straight men. Approximately 25% were women, with no indication of the portion who were straight.
