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. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Mbuso, HIV treatment is used to treat HIV it does not cure it.

    It is great that you have an undetectable viral load. A viral load this low means your treatment is working and HIV is not having any impact on your health. It also means that it is impossible for you to pass on HIV to someone else.

    Unfortunately you will still test positive because tests look for ‘antibodies’. These are immune cells the body makes in response to being HIV positive and even when your viral load is suppressed, these cells do not go away. This explains why HIV treatment needs to be taken daily. It suppresses HIV, it does not remove HIV from the body.

  2. Mbuso •

    Hi I hv been on treatment since 2015 but still testing positive bt says undetected the viral load..

  3. Simon Collins •

    Hi Judy, both ties you went for a test to find out your HIV status. You are still doing this with the third test. Either way, it is much better to know that to carry on worrying about this all the time. Please go back to find out for sure :)

  4. Judy •

    Hey am Judy I went for HIV test I tested negative the same day I tested positive so am scared to go for the third test

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Patrick, what is the type of test you have used when testing again?

    As you have been on treatment for the last few months, if this was a viral load test it would be common for the result to be undetectable/negative.

    An antibody test will still test positive even when on treatment. Treatment is unable to prevent HIV antibodies in the body.

  6. Patrick •

    Iwas tested positive for too times after some moths on treatment iwent again for teat and i were tested negative what happenes

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Joan, when someone is positive they will always test positive. This is because the tests look for antibodies. Antibodies are part of the body’s immune system. They are made in response to HIV and they do not go away even on treatment. This is why someone who is HIV positive is always going to test positive.

    An HIV test is very accurate. People cannot be HIV positive if they are testing negative. When you have an HIV negative test it confirms that you are HIV negative.

  8. Joan •

    But why should u test positive yet you are using arvs and even some times I do hear people saying that they are infected and they are testing negative

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Wanda, when HIV positive and on treatment, even when testing undetectable for viral load you will remain HIV positive due to antibodies.

  10. Wanda •

    Hello am Hellen can someone who is on drugs be tested negative