AIDS touches the lives of everyone, including married folks in monogamous relationships. Some married people went into their relationship knowing they were HIV-positive. Others might have transmitted the disease unknowingly to their spouse. Still others might not have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, themselves, but they know someone who does. Even if we don't talk about AIDS as much as we once did, it is still an important issue and we as married people have no excuse for getting complacent about our sexual health.
Let's face it. Not every married person is going to remain faithful to his or her spouse. Most married people have sex with their husband or wife -- and often without protection, such as a condom. If they have unprotected sex with other people, too, without telling their spouse, then husband, wife, and girlfriend or boyfriend are all at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Today, on World AIDS Day I implore married people to stay faithful and commit to monogamous relationships. If you suspect you might have HIV or another sexually transmitted disease, get tested and do your best to protect your spouse from contracting a disease you might be carrying. Take charge of your sexual health as a couple. Have difficult conversations about sex and speak up if you suspect your spouse is having sex with someone else. Your life -- and that of your children -- might depend on it.