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, It’s not possible to get HIV from someone who is HIV negative. But some people take longer than others to make antibodies against HIV. Testing for these antibodies is part of the test for HIV. You can talk to your clinic about having your tests confirmed.
Hi, I have been faithful to my partner since we met in 2012 and we have a daughter who is 3 years old and now we just did our test after finding out his infidelity, he has been sleeping with a married woman, and now when we tested I’m positive and he is negative, but he is the one who has been sleeping around what are the chance of that?
Sorry that you’re feeling scared about this. But we do not have the resources to answer questions about risks of transmission and testing.
Your question should be covered by the FAQs below, and the answer will be the same. Additional links are included for further information:
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi, I had sex with girl without condom. After one week we went for a test and she is positive while I am negative. But I am still scared.
Hi Frank
Please ask your doctor these questions.
Bactrim (or Septrin) is used based on your CD4 count. This usually needs to be taken until the CD4 count get higher on HIV treatment.
This usually takes at least six months but many people routinely take Bactrim with their ARVs.
I’m newly diadnosed HIV and TB I started ARV’s 2 days ago with anti-TB. Treatment started in on 08th December 2015 doctor prescribed Bactrim (Septrin) on disscharge but after I completed the course should I continue with septrin?
Transmission questions are already answered on the FAQ page:
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Or in this online guide:
HIV testing and risk of transmission
I had unprotected sex with a guy who is HIV possitve and when he told me about him and then I was socked and scared also…. One year later when I was losing weight , I went to a clinic and tested negative. so what it mean could be that I am positive or negative …. Plz tell as soon as possible……..
Hi Mya
It is good that you are using condoms now for sex. This will be good at keeping you HIV negative.
If this is difficult to do all the time, then if your boyfirend start treatment, this will dramatically reduce the risk of catching HIV.
Most guidelines recommended treatment for all HIV poostive people becasue this is better for health and for resuvcing transmission.
How does your boyfriend feel about this? Has his doctor offered him treatment?
My boyfriend is positive nd I am negative we went for the test 4months ago we continue having sex but with condom what makes me get scerd is 4 times we had sex without condom but he didn’t come inside me,