Fridae

If you have never had sex or a blood transfusion, then you do not need an HIV test

If you have not been sexually active in the last 12 months, but have been sexually active in the past, then you should consider at least 1 'baseline' HIV test to determine your current HIV status.

If you already have a baseline HIV test, and have not been sexually active since then, you will not need any further HIV tests

Some couples who are in monogamous relationships stop using condoms after a period of time. But before you do so, please take the following precautions:

• Get an HIV test done together before you stop using condoms
• Wait for three months, and get a second HIV test
• If both of you are HIV negative, and you have a commitment not to have sex outside the relationship, you may then stop using condoms for sex with one another
• Continue to have an HIV test together every 12 months regardless of your commitment to one another - promises get broken, and mistakes happen. We are human, and it's simply smarter to not put your life in the hands of 'trust' for your partner

Even if you practice safe sex and use condoms 100% of the time during every sexual encounter, the UNAIDS recommendations are that you should still have an annual HIV test.

You are considered at higher risk for HIV than other gay men, and the recommendation is for an HIV test at least every 6 months.

If you find yourself constantly testing yourself, and putting yourself at risk, do take a moment to reevaluate you behavior and adjusting it to something that puts you and others at less risk

It is easy to have risk-free sex - just use a condom!