Question

Can someone be HIV negative but an HIV “carrier”?

26 March 2010. Related: All topics.

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

No, people are either HIV positive or HIV negative. There is no such thing as a carrier – and the word is not relevant to HIV.

You cannot tell if anyone is HIV positive. The way to know if someone is HIV positive is if they tell you about their status and they have had conclusive evidence from an HIV test.

For more information on testing and transmission please follow this link to the i-Base factsheet.

129 comments

  1. Purity •

    Hi..my sister tested positive years ago…now shes very sick with uterus cancer as she underwent hysterectomy.and ashe test negative for hiv but the symptoms are all there ver sick

  2. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Sibongile, please see this previous question: https://i-base.info/qa/22552

  3. Sibongile •

    Someone has recently taken an influenza vaccine and she was HIV negative, however after a few weeks following vaccination her results were positive on Elisa test. Could this be as a result of cross reactivity between flu and HIV

  4. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Marilee, have you done a test for HIV? and have you spoken to your doctor about how you are currently feeling?

    Testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  5. Marilee •

    I have night sweat and itchy
    I don’t know i always feel like am hiv positive and am negative

  6. Innocent •

    Thanks for the guide

  7. Simon Collins •

    Hi Vane – thanks. Good that you point out the importance of taking HIV meds in the right way. I don’t agree with your second statement though. It is important to look after your sexual health, but you can still safely have a lot of sex. If you and you partner are both positive and on ART, you don’t need to use condoms (other than for birth control or other STIs). The same is tru if your partner is HIV negative and using PrEP.

  8. Vane •

    A person who is HIV positive can live longer than a person WITHOUT if they strictly stick to their medics and clinics also if they avoid unprotected sex .

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Pat, please see this previous question: https://i-base.info/qa/6138

  10. Pat •

    How long would an hiv positive patient have to live … if the hiv hasn’t gotten to aids

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