If your HIV test result is negative, It is important that you retest in  6 weeks since you might be in the window period. The window period is the time in which you may be newly infected with HIV, but the test is still unable to pick this up.

Once your negative status is confirmed, remain negative by committing to HIV prevention.

We often meet people who have risky sexual behaviours and are  negative and believe that they don’t need to worry, because they think they are immune to HIV. No one is immune to HIV. Every sexual encounter that you have can expose you to HIV if your sexual partner is HIV positive and you have sex without a condom.

The only way to prevent HIV infection is through consistent condom use. The more partners you have, the greater the risk of exposure to HIV, so it is best to have one partner.  If that is not for you, Yenza kahle!

You should make sure that you get treated for sexually transmitted diseases (STI’s) because they can increase your risk of HIV infection.

 If you are uncircumcised you should consider medical male circumcision (MMC).  It reduces but does not remove the risk of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).You still need to use a condom correctly and consistently to make sure you are protected even if you are circumcised.

Do not expose yourself or the men or women in your life to the risk of HIV. They do not know what you do when you are not together, and you do not know what they do when you are not together.

Learn more about how Bongani Khonza is doing to stay negative. WATCH

Be aware that testing negative for HIV doesn’t mean that your partners are HIV negative. An HIV test only applies to the person who took the test. If any of your previous or current partners are worried about HIV, encourage them to take a test.