Question
Is sperm-washing needed if both partners are HIV-positive?
9 November 2009. Related: Adherence, All topics, HIV reinfection (superinfection), HIV transmission, Pregnancy, Resistance.
Hi, first of all I would like to say thanks to every one involved on this site as the information is very good and has helped me through these dark times.
My question is that I am HIV+ and i have met a girl who is also HIV+.
We are both on meds and are both undetectable we have talked about one day having children. Can we have children through normal methods or do I still have to have my sperm washed?
What are the chances that I or she could catch a different strain of the virus? Also, is there a test that can compare our virus and if the strain is different will our medication be able to deal with it?
We have no other STI’s. I am on Atripla and she is taking a combination with Kaletra. Would we have to use condoms or would we be playing with fire if we did not?
Answer
Hi
Thanks for your feedback and it’s great to hear that things are getting easier and that you have found a partner.
Taking your questions in order, if you decide to have children, then you would not need to worry about sperm-washing as this is really only needed when the woman is HIV-negative.
Although the risks of reinfection are important, it would be fine to stop using condoms if you want to try for a baby, even if one of you had resistance in the past, as you both are on treatment and have undetectable viral loads now.
The risks of infection from one exposure from vaginal sex has been estimated as being as low as 1 in 20,000-40,000 and is likely to be even lower for reinfection (when both partners are already HIV-positive).
The main worry about reinfection comes from transmitting drug resistance. There are no tests that can compare the type of HIV you each have. However, you should each have enough information in your medical notes as most people have a resistance test before starting treatment.
If you don’t have resistance test results, then your treatment history may also be enough. Because you both have undetectable viral load on your current combination, you will not have resistance to these current drugs.
Hi I am HIV positive currently on treatment for 6th months. My partner is also HIV positive and just started his medication today. Last week we had sex and the condom broke. Should I be worried? What will happen to the both of us.
Hi,
When both partners are HIV positive the main reasons to continue using condoms are to protect against other STIs or pregnancy. The risk of reinfection is low and is only a worry if one partner has drug resistance.
You can find a more detailed answer to a similar question here:
https://i-base.info/qa/9869
Hi Eshu,
So long as neither of you have any drug resistance it should be fine to have unprotected sex. Please see our pregnancy guide for more information about conceiving when you are both HIV+.
Hi…
My wife and I are both positive and want to have children. Can I stop using condoms to try for a baby? Will it affect my wife because she is not taking any medicines. Her CD4 count is 1160 and mine 650.
Hello Evelyn,
Please take a look at our HIV, pregnancy and women’s health guide, especially this page about conceiving when both partners are positive. If you still have questions after reading these pages please let me know!
hi my name is pinky,my partner & i we tested positive on the 26/10/11,ever since then he is taking arv & his cd4 count has increased,as for me i am not on treatment my cd4 count has increased from 360 – 494.so now we want to have a child,we don’t if we should start having unprotected sex or we should go to a doctor first.please help