Question
I am pregnant and my viral load is not suppressed, what are my options?
22 October 2014. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Pregnancy.
I am three months pregnant and my viral load is not suppressed despite me being on ARVs. My CD4 is high – over 700 and is increasing , what can be the cause and what options do I have?
Answer
Hi,
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
There is no need for other options because so long as you are not missing doses or getting side effects, everything is going well. It is great that your CD4 count is so high and still increasing, this is what it is supposed to be doing. CD4 is used to measure how well your immune system is doing.
How long have you been on ARVs? You still have roughly 6 months for your viral load to become undetectable. The aim of this is to help prevent you child becoming positive.
You can find moreinformation about CD4 and viral load on our website.
And general information about HIV and pregnancy in our guide.
Hi Sibongile,
The following guide explains what will happen when you give birth, and what needs to happen after: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi, I’m 37 weeks pregnant and have been taking arv’s through out my pregnancy but it hasn’t decreased. Just came from the doctor where I have been informed that I’ll be giving birth with c section next week. I’m worried about my baby getting infected. What can I do to prevent the transmission from happening? If giving birth with c section aren’t there drops that are given to the baby immediately born to assist in non infection
Hi Boo,
I do hope your friend’s baby is doing well, even though premature at 7 months. The question of breastfeeding varies depending on where you live. This is because in some parts of the world access to formula and clean water is limited. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months and then weaning onto soft food. But it’s important not to mix breastfeeding and formula.
Please see this similar question here.
My friend has been on ART for 3 months and delivered a premature baby at 7 months, viral load not yet taken. Is it safe for her to breastfeed exclusively?
Hi Nokukhanya,
Your CD4 is low, therefore you will need to have specialist treatment and monitoring. Is this possible where you live?
When you were diagnosed what was your CD4 and viral load? Other than the meds that you’ve been given, have you been given co-trixmoxazole? Also, how is your health in general? For more info about low CD4s and what you need to be aware of, please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa/4643
Because you’re pregnant, you may also find this guide helpful:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi am 14 weeks pregnant and HIV positive. My viral load is above 7000, while my CD4 is 19. I’ve been on treatment for 4 months.
Hi Reneilwe,
If you’re on medication your viral load should be decreasing, not increasing. What meds are you taking? How long have you been on them? And do you know what your CD4 is?
Hi
I’m 7 months pregnant and I’m HIV positive. My viral load is 674 and increasing. Please advise me. I’m so confused.
Hi,
Its is great that you are thinking about having another baby. Eviplera will not stop you having a baby. There isn’t any reason related to HIV or your meds that you can’t get pregnant again.
You can find lots of information about HIV and pregnancy here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I’m taking eviplera medication is possible for me to get pregnant? I have a 11 years old daughter and im trying to have anther baby is that possible?