Your partner has just been diagnosed with HIV. You may feel scared, worried, or confused. What does it mean for your health, for your sex life, and for your relationship? The answers to these questions can help protect your health and give you peace of mind.




Should the test be done too?


Yes. If your partner has HIV, you need to get tested right away. This is important because when you have sex with your partner, you can expose yourself to HIV. The test can confirm if you have acquired the virus.




If your HIV test result is positive: You can start treatment right away to lower your viral load. It is called ART, or antiretroviral therapy. Drug combinations lower the amount of HIV in the blood to such an extent that tests cannot detect it. Doctors call this imperceptible. Treatment helps you stay healthy so you can live a normal, long life. 


Is PrEP Right For Me? Even if you test negative, your partner's HIV infection exposes you to acquire the virus as well. You can take PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, to protect yourself during sex. PrEP medications can lower your risk of getting HIV, even when exposed to the virus. They help your body block the virus from infecting you.


If the result is negative: You may feel calmer. But you can also take precautions to protect yourself when you have sex until your partner's treatment starts to take effect. That takes about 6 months, as long as your partner starts taking the drugs that fight HIV. During that time, use condoms when you have sex or use a dental dam for oral sex. PrEP can also prevent you from getting HIV.


Should the test be done again if the first result is negative?


Yes. Some tests do not find HIV right away. The time that elapses from infection to detection of the virus is called the window period. Even if you have the infection, the result can be negative during that time.




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Get a follow-up test to make sure you don't have HIV. The time it takes to get tested again (after your most recent exposure) depends on the type of test done:




The 4th. generation of HIV tests: These newer tests can detect HIV within 4 weeks of exposure to the virus.


The 3rd. HIV test generation, rapid HIV tests, and HIV self-diagnostic tests : These tests can detect HIV within 3 months — or even longer — of exposure.


Your doctor can review with you the time frame you have to get an accurate test result. He can tell you how long to wait to get tested again to make sure you haven't gotten the infection.




Lifestyle changes for you and your partner


You can take steps to stay healthy and strengthen your immune system, even if only one of you has HIV. By eating a healthy diet and lifestyle, your body can better absorb HIV drugs. Also, they may do their job better and cause fewer side effects.






Whether you have HIV or not, follow these healthy eating tips:




Eat a variety of fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, protein, and grains.


Eat foods that are low in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium.


Take precautions to avoid foodborne infections. People who have HIV are susceptible to these infections. Cook food to indicated temperatures before eating. Store fresh food in the refrigerator so it doesn't spoil. Keep raw meats, seafood, and poultry separate from lettuce or fruit. Wash your hands and countertops after preparing meals.