Normally, the word "positive" implies a good nuance. But why would use people use the word for those who are infected? Since an infection is a bad thing that could ever happen, wouldn't it be more nice to use the word "negative" instead?

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

I see what you're saying! But here, "positive" is used in the sense of saying you have something. "Yes," there are signs and evidence of it, so you're "positive". And "negative" is not having something, as in there are "no" traces or indication of it. Ex: My pregnancy test was positive, so we're having a baby! Ex: I'm so happy the medical results were all negative.

How do native speakers use this expression?

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