I woman I met a few months back told me that she shared needles with her infected boyfriend for quite a long time but she has never tested positive. They are both heroine addicts (she is in rehab), and she knows for a fact that ther was blood exchange through the needles Is this in anyway possible for her to have remained negative?

It is possible that she has remained negative despite sharing needles for injection drug use with her HIV infected boyfriend. For reasons that are not always possible to explain, some people who have repeated exposures to HIV do not become HIV infected. There has been some scientific evidence that supports the idea that these people may be immune to HIV infection.

It is unlikely that a person who shares injection needles with an HIV infected person would remain HIV negative. Sharing injection needles (especially for intravenous use) is a very efficient way to spread HIV. Cleaning works between sharing or using a new syringe for injecting drugs is highly recommended regardless of ones knowledge of their drug-sharing partner's status.

Since you and your partner are in a new relationship and she revealed that she has had high risk exposures in the past makes some of your decisions difficult. It may be important for you (since it sounds like you have some doubts about her story) to practice safer sex with her. If you are interested in not using condoms with your partner, think about your decision carefully and do not ignore any feelings of anxiety about condom-less sex.

RMK