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. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Josephine,

    As Angelina says on this Q&A, It’s very common for someone to still be negative even if they have not been using condoms with someone who is HIV positive. So the short answer for you is that it’s just good luck up to now – HIV is difficult to catch.

    Has your boyfriend started HIV treatment? Please see this guide starting HIV treatment (called ART).

  2. Josephine •

    Hi I was tested with my boyfriend and the results come out that I’m negative while him is postive need your advice how this happens now and we have been together for two months now

  3. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Hilder,

    I’m sorry I’m not clear about your comment. Please can you let me know what you want to say?

  4. Hilder •

    If someone is HIV positive and not on medication for more than 5years add wait normally

  5. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Tirop,

    HIV is infectious in semen (cum) and pre-cum, in vaginal fluid and in rectal mucus.

    Please see this guide to sexual fluid.

  6. Tirop •

    Does the vaginal fluids transmit HIV

  7. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Goffin,

    Sorry but i-Base doesn’t have resources to answer questions on HIV testing and transmission. But please see the links on the factsheet.

  8. Goffin •

    But can a girl who had got HIV in her first month trasmit it even if it has not shown positive on her after testing.

  9. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Timothy,

    Is your girlfriend on medication? If she is, and if her viral load is undetectable then there isn’t any risk. Please see the following info: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/

  10. Timothy •

    Hi. Have been sleeping with my girlfriend who was born positive but did not make it aware of it fearing that I could leave her.After I recognized it and asked her she told me that I was safe since she had other boyfriend before but did not contact the virus.Please advice coz am really confused

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