Heterosexual couples confronting the challenges of HIV infection

Couples confronted with HIV infection face significant challenges. Little i s known about the impact of HIV on heterosexual couples who account for the vast majority of cases worldwide and an increasing proportion of cases in the USA, especially among women. lit this study, analysis of data collected on HIV-discordant couples participating in a ten-week support group reveal ed four major groups of issues: (I) dealing with the emotional and sexual i mpact on the relationship; (2) confronting reproductive decisions; (3) plan ning for the future of children and the surviving partner; and (4) disclosu re of the HIV infection to friends and family. These findings have implicat ions for the design of interventions to enhance adaptation to HIV for disco rdant couples.