Multiple sex partners

The more sexual partners you have, the higher the risk of catching an sexually transmitted infection (STI).

There are many reasons why people have lots of sexual partners, including enjoying the thrill of the chase or the feeling of being desired. It may also be because they use drugs or alcohol which makes them want more sex. This can have a very negative impact on your body as your immune system already needs help in keeping you healthy because of your HIV status; some drugs and heavy drinking affect how well your immune system fights infections.

Drugs or alcohol can also make it more likely for you to have risky sex and make decisions you wouldn’t normally in these situations. If your judgement is being clouded then you might not use condoms for sex, for example.

If you’re having sex with a few different partners, only one of them needs to be infected with an STI for it to be passed between everyone. Many people are happy to have sex with each other without asking about STI status but remember that you cannot always tell if someone has an infection just by looking at them or at their behaviour.

If you’re in a main relationship and have an agreement that sex outside the partnership is acceptable then being open and honest about any risks you may have taken is an important part of looking after each other’s sexual health.

Always carrying condoms, knowing your limits with alcohol and avoiding drug use are all good steps to protect yourself in sexual encounters. You can also get advice and support from counselling or support groups – ask a Health Trainer or your Health Adviser for more information, or use the Service Finder.