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, I have a strange and theoretical question (I’m fighting with anxiety since a while…) my husband and I are since 5years together. At the beginning of our relationship we’ve been tested negative for HIV and as I’m quite paranoid regarding this topic we were tested once more 2 years ago – also negative.
I’ve read there are a very few people who are immune to HIV. I’m wondering if eg. I would be immune to HIV and I would have been exposed to HIV in the past, but due to the immunity couldn’t get infected (and all my elisa tests came back as negative), would I still be a virus bearer and could pass it on my husband/future children? thanks!! Lily
Hi Blessed,
Congratulations on your pregnancy.
Because your boyfriend has tested negative, this would imply that you contracted HIV from another partner. Please see question 5 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
With regards to being able to have a natural delivery. You are already doing the best thing possible. Taking meds will help reduce the risk of transmission. If you have an undetectable viral load then you should be able to deliver naturally. Because you are 17 weeks pregnant there is plenty of time for your viral load to fall. For more info on HIV and pregnancy please see:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
hi.im 17 weeks pregnant and i just found out im hiv positive and my partner’s tests says negative.does that mean i picked the virus from someone else i have been with before my boyfriend? and my CD4 count is 230,what can i do to make sure by the time i give birth is undetectable cause i want to give birth naturally ?i have started taking treatment .
Hi Stella.
For information on testing and transmission please see question one here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I had unprotected sex with someone and the following day he tested positive me negative…but three days earlier had had sex but he ejaculated outside my vagina have been given cosatrim as pep..am so worried can the first encounter make me positive?pliz help
Hi Thomas,
As you’ve been having unprotected sex for 3 years, its worth asking your partner when they started taking meds. If your partner was already taking them before you started having unprotected sex, and if their viral load has always been undetectable then the risks of transmission are close to zero. Please see the results from the PARTNER study:
http://i-base.info/htb/30108
However, the only way to know if you’ve been infected or not is to test.
i just found out by mistake that my partner was using atroiza pills. so I’m afraid that i might be positive as well because we have been having unprotected sex since i met her 3 years ago. What i want to know is, is having sex with someone who is positive for more than 5 month while the person is taking treatment risky. Will I be infected.
Hi Thabo,
Please see question one here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
i think its possible for you not to catch the virus even though u had unprotected sex..
Hi John,
If you are unsure of your test result, you will need to test again. More information about testing can be found here:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844