Question
My husband just tested HIV positive but I tested HIV negative?
6 March 2008. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission, Newly diagnosed.
We just found out my husband has HIV today I tested negative and I don’t understand why. Can you please explain.
Also what is lipodystropy?
Answer
I am sorry to hear about your husbands test results, but you are lucky in still being HIV negative.
We have had many questions from people in your situation and it is not uncommon. Although you are HIV-negative now, it doesn’t mean you are protected against HIV in the future, so it is important to use condoms now with your husband.
So far you have just been lucky – not every exposure results in infection – but you are still at risk catching HIV.
For more information about your husbands health and treatment see this guide.
Lipodystrophy is the term for a range of side effect to some HIV drugs, that changes the way your body processes fats and sugars. More information is at this link.
My wife and I have been together for over 4 years and married for 3. We recently found out that she is HIV positive when we did all kinds tests before starting a family. We had been struggling sexually for the past 2/3 years. I always felt like she was not sexually interested in me anymore. Since we discovered that is positive her appetite for me seems to have sprung up and in ask much as we’ve always used condoms as a form of contraception, I am finding it a bit hard or I find myself scared to have sex with her. I also keep wondering if she ever cheated on me. Can you live with HIV without knowing for over 4 years?
You are obsessing about a risk that is likely to be close to zero. Perhaps speak to your doctor or seek counselling to try and get the balance back in your life.
http://i-base.info/guides/testing/hiv-testing-feelings-of-fear-anxiety-and-guilt
Hello, I had an protected sex about 40 days ago only once and it was the first time in my life. It was quick not more then a minute, I don’t know if the girl has HIV but she told me she don’t, however I was good for 30 days till I started worrying 30 days after I went got test Elisa test came back nagetive after 40 days had three test at the same day two blood tests and saliva one blood came nagetive the saliva came nagetive and the third one hasn’t came yet but I’m so worried can’t eat don’t want to talk to anyone. i can’t do my job as before all I think about is HIV from the time I wake up till I go to sleep. Please some one helps me cuz my health is destroying every day more and more and thank u very much
Hi
I am sorry to hear this which must be very difficult for you. Your husband needs to see a doctor who can find out the cause of his current ill health. If the HIV has reduced your husbands immune system (shown by a low CD4 count), he will need to start antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). The test centre should have also taken a blood sample to test for the CD4 count.
These are very effective treatments that can work even if your husbands immune system is weak. If there are other health problems these will also need treatment.
Please let me know if you have other questions. You may also want to get support yourself by talking to other people in a similar situation or to a health worker at the clinic.
I tested HIV negative yesterday and my husband told me that he tested positive last week Wednesday. I suggested that we should go for several tests b’cos he has been sick for a month now and has lost weight, he has a high body temperature at night and slept with 3 blankets, sweats and has been having diarhoea. Has lost appetite. I don’t know what to do please help me. I still love him and know with good treatment he can be well again please advice
Hi Cynthia,
I am sorry to hear about your bodyfriend’s recent diagnosis. Although it’s very likely that your test result is accurate you need to test again after 12 weeks to be sure. This means you would need to test on or after the 2nd of September to be certain of your result. This is explained further here: What is the window period?
Hi Antinet,
This is quite a low CD4 and it’s good that your husband is on treatment. He should start to feel better soon as his CD4 increases. It’s important that he takes all his HIV and TB meds as proscribed to help him get better soon. If you would like to know more about starting HIV treatment please follow this link to our Introduction to combination therapy.
Thanks for the advice. His CD4 count was 118. He’s not feeling well he started TB treatment early this month
My boyfriend tested HIV+ last week, and i tested negetive. We had unprotected sex on the 10th of june, while i went for the test on 12th of july. Is my result coming out negetive real?
Hi
As the questions and answers in the discussion above show, it is common for one partner to test positive and the other negative.
If your husband has already started treatment, it is likely than his CD4 count was already lower than normal. Do you know what this count was? How is your husband doing?
Usually every positive test results is double-checked. If you are worried about this he can always take a second test at any time. Being on treatment does not affect the results of an HIV test.
Without knowing your details, it sounds like you have just been lucky so far. Technically there will be a risk of you becoming positive if you have sex without condoms. However, this risk will be muck lower after your husband has been on treatment for 6-12 months. Your doctor will probably advice using condoms until then, and perhaps even afterwards.