Question
Are condoms important if I am pregnant and my partner is not on ARVs?
5 August 2016. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Pregnancy, South Africa.
Hi, I am HIV positive and i am pregnant but i use ARVs. My partener is positive too but he’s not on ARV. Sometime we use a condom but sometime we go without condom. So is there any chances that my baby will born positive?
Answer
Hi
The only reason to use condoms is to prevent STIs.
If this is not a worry then your partner not being on ARVs sill not have any impact on the HIV status of your baby.
It is good you are on ARVs as this will protect both your health and that of your baby.
Hi Sam, if you want to start treatment then talk to your doctor. The risk of serious side effects is very rare. Most people carry on a normal active life without trouble. In some countries, people have to wait until their CD4 count goes below 500 but guidelines say that anyone can start treatment. In the UK this would be possible but if you are in the UK and having trouble please email me personally: simon.collins@i-base.org.uk.
Hi, I recently diagnosed with hiv and am not on treatment.vmy cd4 count was 610 in august. i want to start meds but I don have any support of family or friends cos I am a refugee here. do side effects stop me from helping my self? I mean am I gonna be in bed?