A serodiscordant couple is made up of a person who is HIV positive and one who is HIV negative. The term originates from the word "seroconversion" which is the medical term for becoming HIV positive, and the word "discordant", which means "at odds". Other terms used to describe the relationship include magnetic, sero-divergent, inter-viral, positive-negative, mixed sero-status and mixed status. The challenges that you may experience may not have much to do with how you or your partner got infected with HIV. The challenges are based on the fact that HIV is present in your relationship and a part of your lives. The CDC notes that "Serodiscordant couples raise the thorniest set of issues, because they must face major concerns about both transmission and care-giving".
If you are in a serodiscordant relationship you or your partner may be worried about...
* rejection or abandonment
* infecting or being infected
* practicing safe sex
* health issues and illness
* following treatment plans
* effects of treatment plans or illness on body image or energy levels
* loss of sex drive
* caregiver responsibilities
* planning for the future
This support group meets to discuss topics such as communication, sex, trust issues, isolation, medication, disclosure to friends and family, open relationships, end of life issues and more. This group offers couples space to talk about issues related to one partner being HIV+ and one being HIV-. It is our hope that couples can also build a social network of friendships and support.
