Question
Why am I HIV negative if my boyfriend is HIV positive?
29 January 2018. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Sero different couples.
My partner and I recently went for an HIV test and my results came negative while his came positive. This is very strange because in the 2 years that we have been together, we hardly ever use a condom?
How does this come about? are there other cases like mine? is this possible?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing? and how is your partner?
Your situation is very common and you have just been lucky. The risk of catching HIV is usually quite low, even if you don’t always use condoms. It also related to many things, including your partners viral load (ie how infections he or she is).
The risk is highest in the first few months after infection (1 in 10 or higher). After the first year when viral load is lower, this might only be 1 in 500.
Depending on the type of sex you have, and how often, with these number you see how it could just be luck. You could still catch HIV the next time you are at risk. You should also have another HIV test in 3 months, to check that you were not infected in the few months prior to your original test.
A small percentage of people (less than 1% in the UK), have genetic protection against HIV infection. There are no commercial tests that are able to check this.
While many people think (or hope) they have this protection, and that they will be lucky and not catch HIV if they don’t use a condom, in reality they are usually wrong. This is why numbers of new infections are still increasing each year.
Your partners diagnosis sounds like it was a shock for both of you. Take time to find good resources and support, both for your partner and yourself while you come to terms with what has happened. This affects people in all sorts of ways, but with good treatment and care, your partner can expect to lead a long life.
Also, once your partner has undetectable viral load in ART, they are no longer able to transmit HIV.
For more information on monitoring and treatment see the i-Base Introduction to ART. Please also tell your partner that i-Base run a free treatment phoneline if he would like to talk directly about his care.
This answer was updated in January 2018 from a question posted in October 2007.
You need to go for a HIV test. That way if you are positive you can get the care and treatment you need and if you are negative you can put your mind at rest. Please follow this link to find out more.
Hi Dan,
It is impossible to say whether or not you would have infected your girlfriend. The only way you can know for sure is by dong a test. I hope everything works out well for you both. Please let us know how you get on.
Charlie
It sound as if you have been very lucky not to have become infected. If you are still trying for a baby then there are ways in which you can protect yourself to avoid becoming infected and infecting your child. For more information please follow this link about conceiving when the man is positive and the woman is negative. It may also be useful for you and your boyfriend to read the guide to ‘http://i-base.info/home/hiv-and-pregnancy-guide/’.
I was tested negative on Jan 2006. After that I had a girlfriend and I came in contact with her for not more than 3 seconds, at first without a condom. After that we had sex using only condoms. Our relationship lasted only 4 months. She told me her test for HIV was negative on Nov 2006. I am so worried now after 3 years that I might be HIV positive since I am feeling week, have lost some weight, and get a lot of bad dreams. My mind is active 24-7 since I am worried all the time. Could you advice me what to do. Thank you
Hi,
I jut found out yesterday that I am HIV positive. I had unprotected sex with a man just once in my whole life, and that was in around February last year. I had a weird illness afterwards, like a fever, that lasted a couple of weeks – so I know this is when I was infected.
I met my current girlfriend in July last year and we started having unprotected sex about 6 months ago – I really thought I had nothing wrong with me. Now I am desperately worried that I have infected her too – and the guilt is tearing me apart. Am I correct in thinking that my viral load should have been low over the past year? as it is so early in the disease? We got together after the initial “peak” of the illness.
We will be getting tested together next week, but I am wondering if anyone can give a little reassurance. Its strange, I feel weirdly OK with the fact I will have to take meds the rest of my life, but I just couldnt bear it if I have brought that upon the person I love.
I have been with my boyfriend for 4 yrs total. 2 years into our relationship we discovered he was HIV positive when he tried to join the army. We have been having unprotected sex our entire relationship and have been trying to have a baby for 6 months prior to him testing positive. If he tested positive in Febuary 2007 and and I tested negative in august 2007 is it possible I just didnt catch it? Even though I was exposed numerous times?
This question has been answered more fully here
Yes this can be possible. It could be that you got HIV from a blood transmission. It could be that you got HIV from a relationship several years ago and your two boyfriends have just been very lucky that they did not get HIV. For more information about HIV transmission please follow this link.
The only way you can know if you are HIV positive is by doing a test. For more information please follow this link.
Most modern tests are over 99% accurate 3-4 weeks after exposure. For more information please follow this link