Q and A

Question

Will I test negative after starting treatment?

12 August 2022. Related: Adherence, All topics, HIV testing.

What if you tested HIV positive and then you start taking ARVs; after a few months can you go for a test again…what will be the results?

Answer

Answer: Josh Peasegood

Hi, how are you?

Even on treatment you will still test positive. ARVs are used to treat HIV but you will still be HIV positive. This is because ARVs suppress HIV but your body will still have an immune response to the initial infection – this is why you will still test positive.

Josh.

30 comments

  1. Simon Collins •

    Hi David, ARVs reduce viral load to undetectable, but the HIV test will always be positive. This is because the HIV test looks for an immune response to HIV. Even if there was a cure for HIV, this test would still be positive.

  2. David •

    Hello I am a Ugandan. Is it possible that if someone tested HIV positive, and started taking ATVs(ARVs) daily, can that person test negative? and how long does this take. Thank you.

  3. Christina Antoniadi •

    Hello Promise and thank you for the comment.

    Being in treatment for 5 years has worked very well and has kept you healthy and active.

    Treatments today are very good and with very little (if any) side effects.

    However, your tests are not negative. They are undetectable.

    Have you heard of U=U?

    When someone has undetectable viral load (like you) they cannot pass on HIV to their sexual partners and children.

    Well done.

    You can read more here: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/

  4. Promise •

    How are you I was in HIV treatment for 5 years but now I m HIV negative

  5. Christina Antoniadi •

    Hello Peter and thank you for your question. Please check out this link explaining what we call U=U.
    U=U means that someone living with HIV on effective treatment (with Undetectable viral load) cannot pass on the virus (Untransmissable) to their sexual partners and babies: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/

  6. Peter •

    Hi was tested positive last year 2023,then my partner is negative since that time till now,we even sleeping without protection but when she goes for test she’s negative

  7. Simon Collins •

    Hi Vera, please just repeat the test. If this is still positive, you will need a second laboratory test to confirm whether this is a true result or a false positive. If you risk is zero the test is liekly wrong and needs repeating.

  8. Vera •

    I tested positive in HIV test, the time I have a malaria parasite++ but my husband is negative , how can that be possible while I never had sex outside my marriage, pls what can be the cause, my house has been on fire all this while.

  9. Simon Collins •

    Dear Donny – pls see thi link and then maybe a doctor:
    https://i-base.info/qa/11844

  10. Denny •

    I have been experiencing harshness in my mouth, this has caused pains in my groins a severe one, a heart burn ,can this be a sign of HIV infection ?