Q and A

Question

My partner has just been diagnosed, do we need to use condoms?

29 January 2020. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission, Sero different couples.

My partner has just sound out that she’s positive. I tested negative, which is strange because we’ve been having unprotected sex for 4 years. My question is, how is this possible? Also what do we do now, do we need to use condoms?

Answer

Answer: Lisa Thorley

Thanks for getting in touch.

How is your partner doing with her diagnoses, is she getting the support that she may need?

With regards to your questions, HIV is actually a difficult virus to catch. For those who do become HIV positive, it’s simply a case of bad luck. Please see Q6 here:https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

Even if you’ve so far been lucky, you’re still at risk. This means that until your partner starts treatment and gets an undetectable viral load, you will need to use condoms. Once her viral load becomes undetectable, they’ll no longer be a risk.

There’s more info about this here: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/

12 comments

  1. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Adm,

    Using condoms can protect against HIV. But it’s good news that your partner is on HIV treatment (ART). That’s because if viral load is undetectable on ART, then HIV can NOT be transmitted even if you don’t use condoms.

    Please see Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) here.

  2. Adm •

    Good morning Miss Lisa Thorley.i don’t how i while thanks you for the way you help me the time that I get madness because of HIV, my saviour I need your favor at this time again, I have protected sex with HIV positive woman ,that I told you previously that she is in HIV treatment more than two years,i have protected sex with her almost 6times all are protecting sex with condom,the condoms didn’t break slip or bursts or link, can I while be infected with HIV if I have this protecting sex with HIV positive woman

  3. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Adm,

    I hope you don’t mind but I’ve shortened your comment. Unfortunately i-Base don’t have resources to answer more questions about testing and risk.

    However, all FAQs are answered through this link.

  4. Adm •

    Thanks for answering my question Roy trevelion.let me give you the details of my accident. . .

  5. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Adm,

    This test result sounds good. However if you had an antibody/antigen test 4 weeks after finishing PEP it’s recommended that you have another test 3 months after finishing PEP to confirm the negative result.

    As with antibody tests, a small percentage of people may have a delayed response to HIV. So people using this antibody/antigen test four weeks after any potential exposure are routinely recommended to confirm a negative result after three months.

    Please see more info on what tests are used to test for HIV at this link.

    It’s a good idea to see your doctor and ask about a diagnosis for the headaches.

  6. Adm •

    Good morning m. Please help me at 8 weeks of PEP I still test HIV negative blood from vein,is my hiv test is conclusive I didnt have HIV, which type of disease caused this frequent headache, pleased do me a favor I’m not feeling comfortable over two months of this accident.

  7. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Adm,

    As Lisa says, you tested HIV negative and so your frequent headaches are not related to HIV. So it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your headaches.

  8. Adm •

    Goodmorning sir/m thanks for answer my question,you said i didnt have hiv,what cause frequent headache since at 38day of pep i have headache dat come and go,still i have headache today at 28days after i finish PEP,my first hiv test is negative at 38days of PEP blood from vain,in 45days of pep i test HIV negative in aler determine unigol and stak-pak but what cause these frequent headache

  9. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Adm,

    You don’t have HIV. Therefore, your health issues are unrelated to HIV.

  10. Adm •

    Good afternoon mr/mis.i need help from these website,I have sex with hiv positive woman condom break i did ejaculate inside her i withdraw within three second of accident,The following day i when to hospital i start pep i finish it at 30days.The girl told me she started her hiv treatment more than two years before these accident occur,after pep i goes to hospital were there give me pep i test hiv negative blood from vain at 38 days of exposure 8days after pep,at six weeks of exposure i still test hiv negative blood from vain these type of test are aler determine unigol and stak-pak at six weeks of exposure my doctor told me is conclusive i did not have hiv ,i told him i have body weekness from 31days of pep to 38days,i have back pain,is because i have ulcer that is why i have these back pain,please help me i’m worry about hiv