testing after my partner was tested positive

[anvlpopescuu]

Yesterday, my girl friend was tested positive for HIV. She had some bad signs and I dud a test before she went to the hospital. Mine was negative, but I still need to wait to be conclusive. Today is the 13th day after last exposure and I am going for PCR test, which I think is a good indicator. However, how is it possible to stay in a relationship 4 years with someone who has HIV and to remain negative?

[Jim Allen]

Sorry to hear about your GF diagnosis.

However, how is it possible to stay in a relationship 4 years with someone who has HIV and to remain negative?

You don't know when your GF acquired HIV and the odds of acquiring HIV sexually per act, even when conditions are perfect, are relatively small. As the insertive partner, those odds would be lower again. 

Test with a blood-drawn HIV antibodies test at six weeks post last exposure, a non-reactive result at that time will rarely ever change. If you wish, you can re-test at three months post-incident for peace of mind.

The other thing you should know is when your GF starts treatment, it will begin to suppress the virus. Once suppressed below 200 copies for six months, and she continues taking the treatment, it will no longer be possible to pass on HIV sexually. You can find more information on that here: https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=71864.0

Here's what you need to know to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider talking to your health care provider about taking PrEP going forward as an additional layer of HIV protection.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

Kind regards

Jim

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[anvlpopescuu]

Well, we arrived to the hospital due to some neurological problems, which seems to be caused by HIV (this is how we found out). I can take the conclusion she in AIDS stage.  So definitely she has a high viral load and probably she had this for years.  Now I will wait for testing again. Is still a mystery how having a relationship with high viral load infected person did no change my status and I hope will remain the same.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya.

VL can go up and down and even if once tested its a high viral load, there is no mystery regarding your non-reactive (negative) result so far.

Best, Jim

[anvlpopescuu]

13 days after post exposure, HIV RNA PCR test is negative, which I understand is good indicator. However, if the results will remain negative, I would tell everybody the only HIV test which matters is yours. I learned you cannot count someone is negative  just because you are.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya.

Yeah, the results so far are a good indicator.

I would tell everybody the only HIV test which matters is yours. I learned you cannot count someone is negative  just because you are.

Yup. It's common we have to explain remind people of this. The other thing we often see and often have to mention is that trust or past test results do not prevent HIV