Why is having sex with more than one partner at the same time risky?

The secret sexual network:

• If you have more than one sexual partner you may not know who else your other partners are having sex with. You could become part of a sexual network. This can be called Luchungechunge. If one person becomes HIV positive, the virus can spread to everyone else in this network.
• You can change this by only having one sexual partner.

You start trusting people:

• If you have more than one sexual partner for a long time, you might start to trust your partners. If you do not always use condoms, you could be exposed to HIV, and you might put other sexual partners at risk of getting HIV.
• Always use condoms when you have sex, even with your main partner.

You do not know you are at risk:

• A faithful partner can become part of the hidden sexual network and be exposed to HIV without knowing it. If your partner has other sexual partners, you are at risk.
• You can change this by talking to your partner about HIV and sex. You should always use condoms if you think your partner has other sexual partners.

What to do to keep you safe

• Make an effort to have a loving and fulfilling relationship with one partner. This means spending time together and talking to each other about both your needs and feelings
• Know your HIV status. This means that you need to go for a test regularly. You can go as a couple.
• Always use a condom when having sex. If you have been together for more than a few weeks many people then stop using condoms. This is dangerous if your do not know each other’s HIV status. You need to be sure of yours and your partners HIV status and that you both do not have other partners before you think of not using condoms.
• Space your relationships. But remember it is still risky to have many partners.

Talk about it

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