Q and A

Question

How am I positive but my partner negative?

22 September 2016. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission, Newly diagnosed, Sero different couples, Southern Africa.

I am a single mother age 26, my son is 3yrs when I tested while I was pregnant in 2013 I was negative, also tested early 2015 (neg) I split with my baby daddy when I was still pregnant. I got a new partner in April 2015. We never used protection then last we week we bought a home kit for HIV testing, we both tested positive……but my worry is here, I had a fling on the side which we never used protection with also (stupid I know) he asked for a kit too which I gave to him, today he did a test with me present, he tested negative. how is that possible?

Answer

Answer: Muirgen Stack

Hi there,

Thanks for getting in touch.

How are you handling your recent diagnosis? Do you have much support?

It is very common for someone to still be negative even if they have not been using condoms with someone who is HIV positive. HIV is quite a difficult virus to catch, so this is also related to risk and luck.

Please see the full answer here as it has been asked before.

It is also worth knowing that HIV treatment can prevent further transmission, provided you maintain an undetectable viral load. Our guide on starting treatment has more on this.

6 comments

  1. Simon Collins •

    Hi Tumi, the rapid test results need to be confirmed but a laboratory test called ELISA. If this second test is positive then the result is accurate. Until you get the second test, the first ones might not be accurate.

  2. Tumi •

    Hi

    I had sex with my ex boyfriend and I fell pregnant then the following month I had sex with my boyfriend without knowing that I was pregnant, 3 months later I got tested for hiv and the results were positive. I’ve asked both guys to get tested and their results came back negative, I also have a swollen lymph node on my groin, is it possible that my pregnancy is uttering with my results?

  3. Simon Collins •

    Hi Siva, information about HIV and testing is online here:
    http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  4. siva •

    hai iam siva i had un protected sex with some one on jan 2016 ,i tested for hiv till 6th months it’s negative . do i have to take ever 3 months? are will i get hiv in future ,one more thing i havent had sex after jan .

  5. Simon Collins •

    Hi Popie, i-Base is in the UK. Please ask a clinic, pharmacy or HIV organisation in South Africa about whether these tests are available where you live.

  6. Popie •

    i would like to know where can i get a home test kit around Johannesburg.SA?