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
My partner & I have been dating for 2 years now & been blessed with a beautiful baby girl who’s 6 months now.Innitialy we used condom during sex til dt day I decided nt to,cos I knew I was HIV- bt stupidly unsure of hers..even thou sh had told m abt her last test..which sh claimed was negative.sh got pregnant &HIV+. w went 2ged for test..stil hiv+ & I tested hiv-after 6mnths stl -..& yesterday I went to clinic for circumcision & took hiv test stil-. can sh go 2 other clinic or doctor to do the hiv test again even thou sh knows her status?
Regards
Khaya
Hi Magauta,
If your boyfriend isn’t taking his meds as prescribed and his viral load is detectable, then yes you are at risk of contracting HIV.
My boyfriend does not take his HIV meds regularly and we always have unprotected sex and he comes outside of me every time.. Should I be worried about contrasting HIV??
Hi Bongnani,
Please see Q1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
May I ask can the period whereby u should consider yourself safe after how many months can it be more than 6 months because some say it could take longer depending on your immune system.
Hi Mmethi,
If your tests have been negative, this means that you do not have HIV. You didn’t contract HIV from your wife because you were lucky. Please see Q5 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hy,can you please explain to me this dilemma to me my wife was hiv positive in 2015 (she started taking medication)we were not using protection at times assuming that I’m also positive.She past on early last year I went for testing and I was negative I continued testing to this day I’m still negative.I recently met someone who I care about but I’m worried about chances that I would infect her as I heard stories that hiv can be in ur system for a long time without being detected.I’m worried as I don’t want to cause any harm to this person I love her please help.
Hi Bongnani,
Please see Q 1 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Also when someone is positive, they will always test positive.
Is it possible to test negative whilst your positive. Cos I went to test today and the person who was testing me told me so and that it can live inside me for 10years though when I test im negative.
Hi Siphesihle,
Its actaully very difficult to contract HIV through oral sex. However, if you say that you’re a virgin, then this may be how you contracted it.