This article was published on February 1st, 2016

There is an incredible amount of unnecessary stigma about HIV. For decades there has been fear of the virus. Education programs and messaging always related HIV and death. Those days are over. HIV is not a death sentence. In fact, most people who are living with HIV and on treatment lead completely normal lives. These tips will help you know what you should do when a hook-up tells you they are HIV positive:

Acknowledge the information

HIV poz guys never know how a person will react to the news when they disclose to a new partner their HIV status. These conversations are not easy to have. Each person has a different level of knowledge of HIV. The fact that your partner is telling you their HIV status is important. Take it seriously.

Thank for them disclosing

Your partner was respectful of your sexual health. Openly disclosing their HIV status allows for open communication and dialogue. Thank your partner for disclosing their status and for caring about your sexual health.

Be honest

If you are scared, uncertain, or unknowledgeable about HIV, that’s ok. Your partner who has disclosed their status will be able to talk to you openly about it. If you aren’t comfortable with sexual activities together, talk about your concerns.

Get educated

Be proactive and talk to your health care professional about HIV. Just because your partner his HIV positive doesn’t mean that they can transmit the infection. Know what it means to be HIV positive undetectable. You should also talk to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective once-daily pill that you can take to reduce your risk of contracting HIV by up to 99%.

By following these tips you shouldn’t be concerned your when your hook-up tells you they are HIV poz.