Can an HIV-positive person infect others if his or her HIV-antibody test is negative?
Yes. From the moment a person is infected, whether or not the person is aware of it, he or she can infect others. A negative test for a positive person is common during the “window period,” an incubation period of 14-90 days after exposure to the virus, during which a person’s body may (or may not) produce antibodies in response to it. Can a person contract HIV through casual contact? No. A person cannot contract HIV from holding hands, hugging, touching, dry kissing, urine or sweat, using public restrooms, showers, pools or saunas, sharing clothing or towels, or sharing drinks or eating utensils, or from mosquito or other insect bites. How can I prevent contracting HIV? The only way to be 100% certain of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV is to abstain from sexual contact. In other words, you can practically eliminate the risk of HIV infection by abstaining from sexual contact and by not using alcohol and other drugs. You can also reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of contract
