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.
My boyfriend and I went for an hiv test last year August then my boyfriend tested positive and I tested negative we are using protection but sometimes the condom blust I tested again for a window period then still negetive and he’s taking his treatment very well so I’m scared that maybe the virus is hiding what must i do?
Hi Sine,
As the above post explains, its very possible that one person can test negative, whilst the other is positive. It many instances, it really is down to luck.
I would like to now my boyfriend tested positive on the 27 January me I tested negative on the 17 of January after that we used condom can that be possible that am negative.
Hi Ella,
When someone has a viral load of less than 50 copies, this means that their viral load is undetectable. In terms of transmission when someone has an undetectable viral load, the risk is close to zero. For more info, please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
My viral load is below 40 copies, what’s my transmission rate?
Hi Sammy,
If your girlfriend has an undetectable viral load, the risk of transmission is close to zero. Hence, this could explain why you aren’t also positive. For more info please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
If your girlfriends viral load isn’t undetectable, then there is a risk that you may have contracted HIV.
For testing info and transmission please see Q1 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
For seroconversion symptoms please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa/284
Hello I’ve been with my girlfriend for about 2 years and we always have unprotected sex. She was diagnosed HIV positive in September 2015. Since then until now I’m still Negative. For how long can one be in the window period? Can the virus be dormant for more than a year?.At times I feel pain on my foot and numbness, can this be a sign that the virus is in me?
Hi Maria,
Are you on medication? If you are and your viral load is undetectable, the risk of you transmitting HIV is close to zero. For more info please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
If you aren’t on medication then there’s a risk that you may have transmitted HIV to the guy. Therefore, he will need to test.
I’ve had sex with a guy who is negative, I’m positive.
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