Question
Is it possible to sleep with someone HIV positive and not get HIV?
23 November 2022. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Sero different couples.
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
Hi Tebza, while on PEP you are not at risk of further exposures. PEP will work like PrEP and prevent any further risk of transmission.
You will be able to confirm your status as early as 6 weeks after the last dose of PEP using a 4th generation test.
For more information about PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
I had sex with someone who is positive while I was on pep, now my joins are very painful and I am always feel tired, am I infected or not, but I tested negative soon after finish my pep.
Hi Posho, I am sorry to hear about your husband. How is he doing? and has he now started treatment?
You can test from 6 weeks after the last time you had unprotected sex using a 4th generation test.
Testing and transmission: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Having sex with someone HIV positive does not guarantee transmission. A number of factors have an effect on this risk inc. type of sex, other illnesses/infections, genetics and even luck.
Before you are able to confirm your status, it is safe to continue having sex with your husband by using a condom.
Hi I tested HIV neg after find out that my husband got aids because he is very ill and his CD4 count is 33 how long it will show the right results for me and it’s been 17 years we were not using protection
Hi Nelly, for information about transmission please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi I just want to know what happened after sleeping with positive person he spam on me last night i will be affected?
Hi Siyabonga, what do you need help with?
Just help me
Hi Em, if this is anxiety about possible risk of HIV, take an early test now to calm you down a little and just repeat the test to confrim the result after 8 week. Please also read info and links here:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844
I’m sorry about that. Too worried to comprehend generalized information. Since I v been having anxiety, it hasn’t got to the point of this dark lines on abdomen and ear pain. Sleep too short for weeks now. No itch anywhere, but occasional pinch on lip, sole,or anywhere hours apart. Too early to test cos only 3rd gen is available here. Please