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).
Six months back I tested Hiv and the results was negetive,one day ago my girlfriend went to test and the result was positive I am afraid to test again becouse we have been doing unprotected sex. please help
Hi
I think from your message you are saying that your husband is HIV positive. Also, that although your first two tests were HIV negative, the most recent test was positive. If this is the case, then you are both HIV positive.
HIV cannot be cured currently but treatment is very effective.
The Introduction to Combination Therapy guide includes non-technical information about treatment. When you start treatment and which drugs you use will depend on guidelines in your country.
It is a good idea to read about HIV and treatment and to ask your doctor questions that you have about your future health.
hi,i actually want to ask u that my husband is hiv positive and he is using medicine now but i was not diagnosed +ve till 3 times i had test…now what ca i do am also affected???wel am really worrid and scared too wel now we have safe sex but before we didnt hav .we knew he had hiv after 1 and half yr marriage …wel he had nonpulmonary tv then he was diagnosed to have hiv…so should i check again or is it possible am not infected???wel i love him alot and dont wana lose him plz help me and if possible tel me if he can be cured forever…
Hi Yabchen,
It’s very possible that your partner can be positive and both you and your baby are negative. Please see these FAQs about serodifferent couples for more information, and let me know if you have any questions.
i went to test HIV with my partner.
Medical workers find out that she is positive and I was negative. After six months i went back I tested negative and we have 2years 4months old baby and also the result says the baby also negative…..it is possible…or where did it go wrong …
Please help as I don’t understand.
Hi Tash,
Telling people you have HIV can be very difficult, especially telling your sexual partners. If you are worried about how your husband will react it’s important to get support to help you deal with this. Your doctor may be able to put you in touch with other positive women who can help you. If you are in South Africa you may also want to contact the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). They may be able to put you in touch with a support organisation or other positive people in your area. If you live in a different country please let me know and I will try to put you in touch with a local organisation. You can get more advice about talking to partners about HIV on the Terrence Higgins Trust website.
Hi
I’m 3months pregnant n found out I’m hiv positive bt hvnt gt a courage 2tell my partner he asked me of da results as I’m going 2da clinic coz of pregnancy and I lied said I’m negative,,I’m afraid 2loose him while I’m still preg!!! How can I change my story and tell him the truth plz help…..confused
Hi Sharon,
I’m sorry to hear you about your recent diagnosis and the way your boyfriend reacted to this. Although it’s normal to be worried about him the most important thing is to focus on yourself, and get the support you need. Telling people can be difficult, and it’s OK if you don’t feel ready to talk to your parents about this. It can help to speak to other HIV positive people, or to a counsellor. Do you know any other positive people?
Your clinic should be able to put you in touch with a support group, or if you let me know where you live I can try to suggest one. Please let me know if I can help further.
I also was tested positive last year november, it torn me apart I was so single and tried committing sucide but somehow I survived it, I am single and wondering if I can ever get married, I decided to tell my boyfriend abt this january and since then things have not been thesame, he practically finds every excuss not to see me, he is so scared to go for a test because d thing he did last year september was negative.. Am so confused because my parent those not even no abt this.
I found out two months back that im hiv positive. I have a 18 month old son, when i was pregnant i tested negative till the last day. But now im so scared if the tests were wrong and that i could have infected my baby. Im so scared to go and test him.