Question
Can I have sex with someone who is positive and not catch HIV?
16 January 2018. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
Answer
Yes, there are lots of ways to make sure HIV is not transmitted during sex.
- One of the easiest and most effective ways is just for the HIV positive partner to be on treatment. An undetectable viral load makes HIV untransmittable. (See: The evidence for U=U).
- Another relatively recent option is for the negative partner to use PrEP. This is an oral drug that when taken as prescribed is highly effective. (See: UK guide to PrEP).
- You can use condoms which are an effective barrier against HIV (and other STIs). Condoms need to be used carefully, preferably with plenty of lube. (See: How to use a condom (male and female).
HIV is a much less infectious virus than many other sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).
Even without a condom, the risk from a single exposure is less than, for example, 1 in 300. The actual risk becoming infected varies depending on many factors. These include the type of exposure, whether the other person is HIV positive, how high or low their viral load is, the duration and roughness of the sex etc.
If the partner is HIV positive, then viral load is the most important factor. The PARTNER study reported zero HIV transmissions after 900 couples had sex more than 58,000 times WITHOUT condoms. In this study undetectable viral load was defined as being less than 200 copies/mL.
https://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study
Risk factors for penetrative sex without a condom with someone who has a very high viral load could be as high as 1 in 10 (10% risk). But the risk is effectively zero with someone who is taking treatment and who has an undetectable viral load.
This question was updated in January 2018 and November 2016 from an original answer posted in June 2007. i-Base no longer answers individual questions about HIV transmission and risk. (See: Question 1 at this link).
Good day.
I have made love to two different woman who are HIV positive and I have tested several times and still negative. does this means I was so fortunate not to get contaminated or my body cells are just not normal? I wasn’t aware that they positive when incident happened until I helped each and everyone of them n different times where I work.
Hi Nnokuthula,
If your partner isn’t on ARVs, you could use condoms or possible PrEP: Please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing/pep-pepse-and-prep
If however, they are on meds and their viral load is undetectable, the risk of transmission is close to zero. For more info please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
My partner’s positive, I’m negative, what can I do to make sure I don’t contract HIV?
Hi Lisa,
The basis answer is no. People who don’t contract HIV from someone who is positive have basically been very lucky. This does not mean that they are immune to the virus.
Is it be possible that some people can be carriers of AIDS or HIV without given it to other people?
Hi Edward,
Please see Q1 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
After a single exposure with HIV unknown status individual as a boy with no compromise on the skin integrity at the glans and immediate washing, is someone still at the risk of infection
Hi Mmapula,
The risk of transmission when someone has an undetectable viral load is close to zero. Please see here for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
I’ve been on treatment for a year. My viral load is undetectable. My boyfriend and I don’t use condoms. Can I give him HIV?
Hi Sibongile,
Unless your viral load is undetectable, then yes there is a chance that you may have transmitted HIV to your boyfriend. If your viral load is undetectable, then the risk is close to zero. Please see here for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/