Reducing the number of partners

The more sexual partners someone has during his or her life, the greater the likelihood of becoming HIV-infected. So reducing the number of sexual partners is an important preventive change in behaviour. Abstinence until one has found the "right" partner would certainly be the ideal, from the point of view of HIV prevention.

The recommendation to reduce the number of partners must, however, be considered with greater discrimination. A risk of HIV infection only exists if a sexual partner is HIV-infected. The risk of HIV transmission is much higher among the so-called risk groups – such as prostitutes, homosexuals, injecting drug addicts or people who come from an area with a high prevalence of HIV, such as sub-Saharan Africa – than in the average population. On the other hand, two young people have no risk of HIV if neither has yet had any sexual contacts and they do not inject drugs.

The reduction of HIV risks is not only a matter of reducing the number of sexual partners, but of having no sexual contact at all, if possible, with anyone who is HIV-infected. If a partner is HIV-infected and is being treated with ART, it is certainly a good idea to obtain medical advice before entering into a sexual relationship.

Young people who enter into sexual relationships at a very early age often display a higher risk of HIV infection, because they often enter into many brief sexual adventures before they build up a stable partnership.

Source: HIV/Aids – Aktuell (Dr. med. Kurt April)
©Translation: AIDS Information Switzerland
Last updated: 4/2010