Question

How can my partner test HIV positive and I test HIV negative?

16 January 2018. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission, Newly diagnosed, Sero different couples.

I went to test HIV with my partner.

I found out that she is positive and I was negative. After six months i went back I tested negative.

Please help as I don’t understand.

Answer

Thanks for your question as your situation is very common.

Has your partner’s positive HIV test been checked by a second test in a lab. All rapid tests, need a positive result to be confirmed. This is because of the small chance of a false-positive result.

If the second test (called “western blot”) is positive then your partner is definitely positive. In this case, how is your partner doing and does she have support?

Even if your partner is HIV positive, it is common for one person in a couple to test positive and the other negative. This can happen even if they have bot been using condoms. This is mostly just luck. Over time, most people will catch HIV if they continue to have sex without a condom.

Even though you have not caught HIV so far, you can still catch HIV in the future. Genetics may explain some cases of protection, but most are just down to luck and chance.

Now you know your partners HIV status, you can still stay together and have sex safely. Condoms or PrEP are both really effective at stopping HIV and not sharing needles.

Also, after your partner gets an undetectable viral load on treatment, the risk drops to zero – even without condoms. The PARTNER study reported no transmission with an undetectable viral load. this was after about 900 couple had sex 58,000 without condoms (over several years).

Note: This answer was updated in January 2018 and October 2014 from a question from June 2011. i-Base no longer answers individual questions about HIV transmission and risk. (See: Question 1, 5, 6 and 9 at this link).

335 comments

Lisa Thorley • 19 December 2016

Hi Nompumelo,

If you always use condoms then you cannot contract HIV.
Nompumelo • 19 December 2016

hi my husband is HIV positive and I’m negative. He’s been positive since 2008. We use condoms, and I always test negative.
Lisa Thorley • 15 December 2016

Hi Kelvin,

If your girlfriend is on meds and has an undetectable viral load, then the risks of transmission are close to zero. Please see the results from the PARTNER study:

https://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
Kelvin • 15 December 2016

If I had been having unprotected sex with my girlfriend who is HIV positive n she is on her medication constantly, pls am I in any chance of contacting the virus? Pls I really need an answer because am confused
Lisa Thorley • 14 December 2016

Hi Enan,

Please read the results from the PARTNER study:

https://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
Enan • 14 December 2016

I would appreciate updates on this topic.

Many thanks.
Lisa Thorley • 4 December 2016

Hi lungelo,

If your partner is undetectable then the risks of transmission are close to zero. Please see the PARTNER study for more info:

http://i-base.info/htb/30108
lungelo • 4 December 2016

Hi I had sex with my partner she’s on treatment I always checked my condom but when I finished I realise that it busted hw risk am in?
Lisa Thorley • 1 December 2016

Hi Nathi,

If your partner is on meds and is undetectable then the risks are close to zero. Please see the PARTNER study for more info:

http://i-base.info/htb/30108

The risk of infection through one act is minimal. However, it can happen. If you are worried, then you will need to test.
NATHI • 1 December 2016

I had protected sex with my partner who is HIV positive 29 November 2016.but the condom burst. after few seconds i realized, and immediately got out, and changed the condom.so i am wondering if there’s any possibility that i might be infected..i have not tested yet..