sero-discordance

Oct 31, 2006

what is the real cause of Hiv sero-discordance in a couple that have been married; they were Hiv negative before the marriage 2years later the wife became positive although she is faithful to her husband and had no blood transfusion in recent time or any case of rape, her husban was responsible for the pregnancy she have now but she was tested positive and the man negative, the man has come for hi 6 months follow-up test and still negative. Why?

Response from Dr. Wohl

HIV is a virus you get from another person. Almost every person with HIV infection on the planet acquired the virus via sex, sharing needles, blood transfusion, as a fetus or infantfrom an infected mother or a needle stick injury (health care worker). It can not be transmitted by mosquitoes or from a toilet seat. Casual contact does not lead to transmission. If this individual is HIV+, she acquired the virus from another individual who was positive. If her husband is HIV negative, it was not him.

When in doubt about a test result, the test should be repeated.

DW