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.
I’m sorry that i-base no longer answer individual questions about the risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing.
This is because information on both these subjects are now online in two resources:
Your questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Also this detailed and easy to read guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
I’m sorry that i-base no longer answer individual questions about the risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing. This is because information on both these subjects are now online in two resources: Your questions are already answered on the FAQ page: http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing Also this detailed and easy to read guide: http://i-base.info/guides/testing
I’ve been having sex unprotected with a lady. She has been positive for ten years. She’s undetectable. I just found out today but I don’t have no symptoms what do I do
I’m sorry but i-Base no longer answer individual questions about the risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing.
This is because information on both these subjects are now online in two resources:
Your questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Also this detailed and easy to read guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
On 18th February I had unprotected sex with a 24 year old lady, first round I used condom then the second round I took it off. She told me that she is HIV negative she had the test done last year December and has never been sexual active for 4 months. After a day I had a rumor that that girl is HIV positive, I then went for HIV test and tested negative. I have never got any symptoms since that time and the test I done for HIV they took my blood to the lab after 4 days I got those negative results. Should I still be worried?
I’m sorry that i-base no longer answer individual questions about the risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing.
This is because information on both these subjects are now online in two resources:
Your questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Also this detailed and easy to read guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
Hi,
I had a complete body test in August 2011, including HIV etc and everything was perfect (i.e HIV negative). In the month of April 2012, I visited thailand for a week and there had sex with four difference girls. I took extreme care and used condoms all the time. However, on the last day, when I was having sex with a girl, the condom broke, may be after a minute or so I realized and saw that it was broken, I replace it with a new condom and then came. This day was 19th April 2012. I returned from thailand and since then was having cough but from 30th April, the cough got converted into sore throat and feeling like tired also. Day before yesterday I took medicines from doctor and its slightly improved. I am scared if these are symptoms of initial hiv infection? I am confident that before thailand trip I never had an interaction with hiv since I had only one sex partner for last four years and we both tested in August 2011 and were negative. Also, we both have always used protections so no chance.
Also, I asked the girl in thailand if she was hiv positive and she said no, never. She used to go for test every three months (thats what she told me). I am just scared, if the small interaction with her liquid (due to breakage of condom) can lead to hiv infection. Also, its been just 8-10 days after sex I got this flu like symptoms, does that mean initial signs of hiv? Further, when exactly should I go for hiv test and which type of test shud I go for to confirm? Is there a possibility of any other infection if not hiv?
Awaiting for your reply.
Regards,
i-Base no longer answer individual questions about risks of HIV transmission or HIV testing. This is because information on both these subjects is now online in two resources:
A FAQ page on testing and transmission:
http://i-base.info/qa/faq/hiv-transmission-and-testing
And a more detailed but easy to read guide to testing and sexual transmission:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
is possible to be tested hiv positive after two weeks of unprotect sex with hiv lady
You son will not be HIV positive because you were HIV negative during the pregnancy (and during the period afterwards if you were breastfeeding).
If your partner is HIV positive and you had sex without a condom, then this is a risk for catching HIV. Although the risk is probably low from just one time, this is still possible and using condoms in the future will protect you.
If your partner is on treatment with an undetectable viral load, this risk is much lower.
More importantly, you need to find a way for you both to talk about HIV. If he was unable to tell you before and put you at risk, this is something you should want to talk about.
I have been with my partner for about 3 yrs now we have had a healtty son who will be turning 2 I’ve heard past rumors about him being positive while i was pregnant and he always denied it. i always stayed up with my testing and have always been negative, i’ve just confirmed that he was hiv positive how long i dont know. my last test was in January 2012 and it was negative since then we have had unprotected sex but i just recently went back and is waiting for my results are there any chances i could be positive and my son as well is he good or should i get him tested as well?