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When One Partner is HIV+

One HIV-positive—One HIV-negative

"Magnetic" couples are those in which one partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative. They are also called "serodiscordant," "discordant," and "mixed" couples.

Programs like CDC's Couples HIV Counseling and Testing (CHCT) Intervention and Training Curriculum reduce HIV transmission among magnetic couples by helping couples adopt risk-reduction behaviors and increase condom use. CHCT also works to reduce mother-to-child transmission. It was established for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

For information, see CDC's Couples HIV Counseling and Testing Intervention and Training Curriculum.

For magnetic couples who engage in sexual activity, consistent and correct use of condoms is recommended to better prevent HIV or STD infection.

The CDC is sponsoring three clinical trials (two overseas and one in the U.S.) of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. Researchers are investigating whether it is possible for an HIV-negative person to prevent HIV infection by taking a daily dose of an antiretroviral drug. This research may be particularly promising for magnetic couples. For more information, see CDC's Clinical Studies of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention.

One very important way of minimizing HIV transmission for magnetic couples is to ensure that the HIV-positive partner is taking all of his or her HIV medications and taking them at the right times. (This is known as "maximizing medication adherence.")

Multiple studies have shown that the risk of HIV transmission is decreased significantly in couples where one partner is HIV-negative and the other has an undetectable viral load. HIV medications can help to keep viral loads undetectably low, so medication adherence is an important issue for magnetic couples.