Q and A

Question

Is it possible to sleep with someone HIV positive and not get HIV?

I started to sleep with someone who has had HIV since 2018 up until now. Last month I tested negative. Is this possible?

Answer

Hi, how are you doing?

Yes this is possible. The most probable reason is that your partner is on treatment. While on treatment with a viral load below 200, it is not possible to pass on HIV via sex. This means even without a condom or PrEP, there is no risk of HIV transmission. This is explained by U=U. This stands for when people have an undetectable viral load (below 200), it is not possible for HIV to be transmitted.

There are other factors that can influence the risk of HIV transmission. Sleeping with someone who is positive does not mean you will become HIV positive yourself. These factors inc. type of sex, positions and length of time. More are discussed here.

Josh

30 comments

  1. Simon Collins

    Hi Gladwell, you cannot catch HIV from some on ARVs with undetectable viral load. If you are positve now then it was from somebody else.

  2. Gladwell

    I sleep with someone who is using a Arv and she didn’t tell me she use it and it was this month of 15 of march 2024,she didn’t tell me so how can I have it

  3. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Zakhele, as your partner had been on antiretrovirals it means the risk of transmission was low to no risk at all. A low viral load (below 200) means it is impossible to pass on HIV via sex.

    Your trousers not fitting are not a sign of HIV/seroconversion. Have you changed anything in your diet/exercise recently that could have caused this weight gain?

    Please see here for more information about transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  4. Zakhele

    I slept with a lady without a protection and after three days of stay she told me she was on antiretroviral drugs I’m accepted what she told me and I was calm but inside I’m not okey. What can I do, she told me not to worry because her viral load was low,but now my trousers are not fitting me I’m afraid

  5. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Chris, when did you last have an HIV test?

    Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  6. Chris

    Hi, I had unprotected sex, they told me that they had no STIs of any kind but one year later I break out in molluscum contagiosum at 41 years old. Should I get tested or am I just being paranoid?

  7. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Lerato, for information about testing and transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  8. Lerato

    Hi
    I slept with someone who is HIV positive, just inserted the penis for few minutes and took it out before he had his semens out, will I be infected. Should I just drink the PEP just to be safe.

  9. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Tina, for information about testing and transmission risk please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing

  10. Tina

    Hey I met someone who is hiv positive and on treatment but we had outercourse I tested negative after 10 weeks exposure but we had another rubbing and I’m worried to take another test can I be infected we have never had penetrative sex

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