Question

My girlfriend has just found out she has HIV, could I also be positive?

8 December 2010. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Newly diagnosed, Sero different couples.

I have been with my new girlfriend for 3 months now. For the first month we were using condoms. From the second month we had regular unprotected sex. Two days ago (on the 1st December). My girl friend’s HIV test results came back positive. My results came back negative. I am very scared that I might have contracted the virus and that my next test will be positive.

When is a HIV positive person infectious? What are the possibilities that I will still test HIV negative after three months? Is there any preventive treatment that I can take to prevent the possibility of becoming HIV positive after being exposed to the virus for more then a month?

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

Thank you for your question.

I am sorry to hear about your girlfriend’s diagnosis. I understand that this is a very worrying time for both of you. The most important thing to focus on now is how you can best support your girlfriend to come to terms with finding out she has HIV. For more information regarding a new diagnosis and the next steps, you and your girlfriend may want to follow this link.

As far as your own HIV status is concerned, unfortunately there is no way of knowing what your next test results will show. HIV positive people are most infectious when they are first infected and when they are not on HIV treatment. However, not every time you have unprotected sex with a positive person will you become HIV positive yourself and so it is possible that if your first test was negative that your second test could also be negative. The only thing you can do is wait and see what the result it. For more information on transmission and testing please follow this link.

If it is a month since your last exposure then there is nothing you can take to prevent an infection. There is something called Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) which can be taken upto 72 hours after an exposure but the earlier it is taken the better. After 72 hours then it will not be effective. For more information on PEP please follow this link.

If you or your girlfriend require any further support during this difficult time then please call our phoneline on 0808 800 6013 Mon-Wed 12-4pm.