I am 24 and having a big problem. I have been HIV positive for the last two years. I was raped in my home and from that moment my life changed. I am not a bad person who goes around sleeping with men. I have been single for a long time.

I met this wonderful young man. He is 26. He is in love with me and I really like him a lot. I really don't want to hurt him. He is going abroad to live soon and all he talks about every day is that he is going to send for me, marry me and have two kids with me.

Pastor, I don't know what to tell him because he is so into me. I told him he is not going to send for me. He said he is very much serious. I don't know what to do because I am HIV positive and I don't want to pass it on to him but, at the same time, I want to be with him because he is there for me 100 per cent.

My boss told me I should tell him when he is abroad and that would change his mind from me and he wouldn't bother to send for me, but I would love to be with him totally. He has even left his hometown to be near me. Every day we talk. We made love but we use the condom.

We have spent some good times together but I don't really want him to hate me. Please, tell me what to do.

HIV Positive, St Andrew

Dear Friend,

I hope the man who raped you was caught, tried, found guilty and sentenced to prison. If he is still at large, he is probably raping other women or having casual sex with women and passing on the disease to them.

I am wondering whether you have been following the advice of your doctor and taking the medication prescribed by the doctor. You have not informed the young man with whom you are in love that you are HIV positive, but you should. You are having sex with him, but taking the necessary precaution by using the condom. But he should be informed of your condition.

You do not know how to go about informing him that you are HIV positive. You can approach the topic by telling him that you were raped and that is how you became infected. If you do not believe that you have the courage to speak to him on your own, you can do so in the presence of a family counsellor or your medical doctor.

He should not leave Jamaica without knowing of your condition. I will be praying for you. If I could be of further help to you, please contact me.

Pastor