Q and A

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

Answer: Angelina Namiba

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.

219 comments

  1. Siphesihle •

    HI I TESTED POSITIVE, MY WORRY IS THAT I AM STILL A VIRGIN, I HAVE BEEN DOING ORAL SEX WILL THAT BE THE REASON WHY I AM INFECTED

  2. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Palesa,

    The risk of transmission when someone has an undetectable viral load is close to zero. Therefore, its highly unlikely that you will have transmitted HIV to your boyfriend. For more info please see here:

    http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/

  3. palesa •

    I’ve been on meds since September 2015. My viral load is undetectable. I have sex with my negative boyfriend and we didn’t use a condom. I’m worried that he may now have HIV.

  4. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Lesiba,

    The basic answer is yes. For more information, please see Q6 here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  5. Lesiba •

    I’ve been with my girlfriend for 6 years. She’s positive, I’m negative, can we have kids?

  6. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi De lash,

    Yes it is possible to have a false positive, this is why it’s important to have your test result reconfirmed. It is however also very possible that one person can test negative, whilst the other tests positive.

    Once you’ve tested again, if you are positive, please contact us. We’ll be able to provide you with some useful info.

  7. De lash •

    Yesterday I tested and the result says I am positive. My partner is negative. Then they assume that their test are not 100%, then I must go to the nearest clinic. Is it possible that I may be negative?

  8. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Danyell,

    Unless your husband is on medication and his viral load is undetectable, (please see here:

    http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/ )

    then yes, there is always going to be a chance that you will be infected. Up until now you’ve been lucky. The important thing now is that you and he know.

  9. Danyell coleman •

    Me and my husband both had a HIV Rapid test on May 8, 2017; I tested negative, but he tested positive, we have been together for 3 years and we also had a 2 year old; I have had 4 tests spanning from 2015 to now, and each one of them came back negative, should I be concerned about contracting HIV?

  10. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Lee,

    If your boyfriend is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load, the risk of transmission is close to zero. Please see the results of the PARTNER study for more info:

    http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/

    Testing info can be found at Q1 here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions