Question
Why is my husband HIV negative when I am pregnant and HIV positive?
23 January 2018. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Pregnancy, Sero different couples, Starting treatment.
Hi , I am 36, married, and pregnant and have just found out that I am HIV positive, with CD4 of 239.
My question is I never get sick or have any symptoms that I am infected, so now I am worried that I maybe too late to start treatment, because they told me that I need to start when my CD4 count is about 350.
My mind still adjusting to the news cos its only weeks find out I am positive but I have the reason to live that is why I accept that life goes on, its the matter of changing lifestyle and live good healthy life style.
My other worry is that my husband tested 6 months ago and he said he tested negative, checking from that time do you think he lied to me about his result because now I six month pregnant and positive. Is it possible to check when I became HIV positive?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
As you asked a number of questions, I will respond to them one at a time.
Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy.
Although it might be difficult to learn you are HIV positive, it is much better that you found out now. Earlier is always better both for your health and for your baby. You are also right in taking a positive attitude about your life.
Even though your CD4 count is less than 350, you will still get a good response to HIV treatment (ART). The meds will help get you CD4 count become higher again and will protect the baby from HIV. The meds will also protect your husband from HIV in the future. Also, since 2015, ART is recommended for everyone, even at CD4 counts above 500.
Starting ART is important, so that your viral load can become undetectable when your baby is due to be born. This is because having an undetectable viral load is the best way for your baby to be HIV negative.
This guide to HIV and pregnancy has lots more information.
If your husband was HIV positive 6 months ago, it might be good for him to test again now. There is a small chance that he might have recently become HIV positive but that the test didn’t work. He might also really be HIV negative and has just continued to be lucky.
There are many couples were one partner is HIV positive, and the other is HIV negative, even when they haven’t been using condoms. Please follow this link for more information on such cases.
More information on sero-different couples (where one partner is HIV positive and the other is negative) is at this link. The answers to Q 5, 6 and 9 at this link might also help:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and please let us know if we can help further or again in the future.
Note: This answer was updated in January 2018 and July 2016Â from a question first posted online in November 2011.
Hi I have a concern I am hiv negative and am 7 months pregnant. My partner tested yesterday and found that he is positive. I did another test this morning still negative. Does this mean my baby is safe or is there anything I can do to ensure that she does’nt get exposed
Hi Anita.
Yes you can have kids, and yes you can still marry. Your status shouldn’t be an issue. The important thing is that you’re on treatment and that your HIV is under control. Please see here for more info: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi I am positive and partner is positive too. Both of us are un dictable viral low is very low cd4 is very high above 1000. The question is can we still marry and give birth to children negative??
Hi Unknown,
The good news is that you can do a lot to protect your girlfiend, and your baby, if you are HIV positive.
Are you on HIV treatment (ART)? If so and your viral load result stays at undetectable it reduces the risk of transmitting HIV when you’re having sex without a condom. The risk can be reduced to zero.
So it’s a good idea to talk to the doctor about your ART and your viral load results. This can help you and your girlfriend plan for your baby.
There’s more information about Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) here.
What should my girlfriend can do to avoid to be positive while were busy in the process of making a baby
Hi Chief,
Has your friend had her viral load and CD4 count tested? If she has what were the results.
one of my friends test Hiv positive…after sometime she tested again she was negative..she stayed for a year and tested again she was positive..she tested the same day but a different clinic she was negative…now she is confused how is this possible
Hi Foxyvibe,
There’s a lot of research going into finding a cure for HIV. The HIV cure puzzle is a good guide to the areas resarchers are working on.
Is HIV cure cure near as I’ve heard many news that cure for HIV has a bright hope
Hi Mariee,
Please see Q’s 5,9 and 14 here: https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions