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
Hello Allen and thank you for the question.
Everything in life includes some risk.
Driving, cycling, even walking and of course having sex includes risk.
There are things we can do to lower that risk.
For example wearing a seat belt when driving lowers the risk to get hurt when you have an accident.
For sex we know that using a condom, taking PrEP or PEP are activities that significantly lower the risk of HIV.
Also, testing often (every 3 months at least) when you have multiple partners is an activity that lowers your risk.
In any case, it is your responsibility to care for your health and to take actions to protect yourself.
Not your partners.
Your exposure was a month ago so it’s a good idea to have a sexual health screen.
That is the only way to know.
I am sending you a link to help you understand your risk and to help keep yourself safe in the future:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844
I had sex with a Girl on August 27. I am told that she has HIV and no she is under treatment. As I speak, I am worried. Up to now. I can not experience any unusual change in my body. I’m stable. Is there any possibility of me contracting the virus?
Hello Thabo and thank you for the question.
We would need to know a bit more information to answer that.
HIV is generally a weak virus and cannot be passed on so easily but there are many things that also can contribute.
Here is a guide we have developed on HIV risk. It will give you more information about the risk of the sex you had:
https://i-base.info/guides/testing
Also, people living with HIV who are on effective treatment cannot pass on HIV to their sexual partners.
Have you heard of U=U? You can read more here:
https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
I slept with someone living with HIV. I used a condom but it broke. it’s easy to catch HIV or not
Hello Nhlamulo and thank you for your comment.
Have you heard of U=U? it means that people living with HIV who are on effective treatment cannot pass on HIV to their sexual partners.
Here you can read more about it: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Please note: it is your responsibility to protect yourself by using condoms or PrEP (or PEP) and often testing (every 3 months if you have more than 1 partners)
Please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/pep-and-prep/
I slept with my girlfriend 6,7 and 8 September for 3 days without using a condom and she told me after that she is HIV Positive
Hello Angela and many thanks for the question.
People living with HIV on effective treatment (undetectable viral load) cannot pass on HIV to their sexual partners.
Please read more here:https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Testing so soon cannot show something but you can get access to PEP if you are worried (within 72h from the time you had sex).
You can read more here: https://i-base.info/pep-and-prep/
Your house is your own space and you have the right to set your own boundaries.
Clearly, to have someone over and have sex with them, you must have liked them.
However, if living with HIV was the only reason you decided to ask this person to leave, he was right to get upset.
For him to share this information with you, also means he liked you and trusted you.
Please, read the information and educate yourself.
That will help you understand your risk, learn how to protect yourself and treat people well.
People living with HIV who are on effective treatment have active and full lives today.
HIV is a chronic condition and doesn’t prevent any aspects of life including dating, marriage and having children.
I had sex with a guy who told me he had HIV. We had sex twice that night and now I’m going to get tested tomorrow. The guy got mad at me because I wouldn’t let him stay at my house.
Hello Fani. What is your question please?
I slept with my girlfriend and she’s taking luvigen table so we didn’t use protection on first round so after that we started to use protection after she showed me those luvigen and this happened last month