Question
Why did my partner test positive when I tested negative?
19 April 2022. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Sero different couples.
My partner and I have been together for six years. He tested positive three years ago.
Automatically assuming I would be infected already we continued to have unsafe sex. I never went for a test until three years later in 2012.
He was beginning his treatment and wanted me to do the same, but when I went to my local clinic I tested HIV negative.
Can I trust these results or should I worry about testing HIV positive in near future? I’m so confused!
Answer
The risk of catching HIV is low compared to many other infections.
So your situation is common to still be negative even if without condoms with someone who is HIV positive. Your negative result is also related to good luck – so it is not good to rely on this in the future.
As your partner has just started treatment, the risk of transmission will already be much lower. Then, once his viral load becomes undetectable the risk is effectively zero.
The PARTNER studies showed that ART stops sexual transmission. For example, after more than 100,000 times that an HIV positive person had sex without a condom with an HIV negative partner, there were ZERO transmissions. Viral load just needs to be undetectable on ART.
This and other studies led to the U=U campaign (undetectable = untransmittable).
https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
This guide to HIV testing and risks of sexual transmission includes more info on transmission risk. Also, the answer to Question 9 on our most asked questions page:
Can we stop using condoms if viral load is undetectable on treatment?
If your partner is not on treatment or if he still has detectable viral load, then using condoms will make sure you stay negative. Another option is to talk to your doctor about PtRP, which is where you can take a pill that will protect you against HIV. The UK guide to PrEP has more info.
Note: This answer was updated in 2016, 2018 and 2022 from a question first posted online in July 2012.
hi all! thank you for the lighting information about hiv, it is very educational and motivating. lets always share important information like this via media to help others that are afraid to voice out and ask for help.
Hi Boris,
Thanks for your comment. Its good to see that someone else other than me, understands that being HIV positive isn’t a joke.
Bowen that is the most retarded thing I’ve heard in the last year (and that includes Trump being elected).
Hi Bongnani,
Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I know this might sound strange, but I had an exposure last year in October. I tested negative. Can I infect someone?
Hi Bowen,
You’ve either been very lucky, or all of the people who you’ve been experimenting with, (which is of course up to you, but is reckless and quit frankly hard to comprehend, being HIV positive isn’t a joke) have had undetectable viral loads. If they have had undetectable viral loads, then the risk is close to zero.
I’ve had sex with several HIV positive people, just to kind of experiment. I’m still negative, it’s been 7 years I’m still testing negative.
Hi Raja.
Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi .I m fear three days before I get sex .but condom is break down but get her HIV test she get negative and my test also same .I was so scared .I have chance get HIV plz ans
Hi Nomah,
Because your boyfriend is on meds, if his viral load is undetectable, the risk of transmission is close to zero. Please see the results of the PARTNER study for more info:
https://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
And Q5 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions