Q and A

Question

Will my viral load be OK by the time i deliver my baby?

Hi. I’m a 21 year old girl from South Africa. I’m HIV and pregnant and i started my treatment last year November. My CD4 count was 486. I’ve just find out I’m three weeks pregnant. I’m afraid that my viral load will not be ok by the time i deliver. I have never tested it.

Answer

Hi,

If you take your medicine regularly it is likely that you already have an undetectable (under 50) viral load. This usually happens within a couple of months after starting treatment. It is important to make sure of this though, particularly because you are pregnant now. You should ask your doctor or clinic about this.

A CD4 of 480 is strong. This might drop a little while you are pregnant but should recover after you give birth.

You can find lots of information about HIV and pregnancy on out website.