Q and A

Question

I found out that I’m HIV+ at 20 weeks…

29 October 2023. Related: All topics, HIV reinfection (superinfection), HIV transmission, Pregnancy.

Hi, I found out that I’m HIV+ at 20 weeks pregnant and started treatment immediately, I now have a undetectable viral load. The problem is my partner is not taking treatment and we have unprotected sex, does that put my unborn baby at risk of getting the virus?

Answer

Answer: Josh Peasegood

Hi, how are you doing?

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

It is great that you now have an undetectable viral load.

Has your partner ever been on treatment? or do you know if they only take treatment sometimes?

If your partner has never taken treatment there is no risk to you. This is because your own treatment will prevent any further transmission.

This is most likely the case as you are now undetectable meaning HIV is suppressed in your body and no longer having an effect on your health. This also means you have reduced the risk of transmission to baby as much as possible.

If your partner sometimes uses treatment there is more risk of resistance. In this case it is recommended to use a condom. This is to ensure resistance is not transmitted.

Josh.

4 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Fissum, did you have a question? I am not sure what you are asking.

  2. Fissum •

    I’m posetiv I won’t to girle
    My age28
    I’m catholic
    I won’t girle age 28 ++
    Jest u can’t do it

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Omo, congratulations on having a baby. As baby is now 10 months old there is no risk of transmission from mixed feeding.

    As mum is undetectable it means this risk of transmission is very small. Saliva has antiviral properties making oral transmission of HIV very rare. This is because the saliva kills HIV before it is transmitted. Being undetectable already means there is so little HIV is mums breastmilk.

    Transmission from this event remains minimal and is largely no different from baby’s normal risk anyway.

  4. Omo •

    I and My wife are undetectable and we have a 10 month old baby boy who is mixfeeding .. thier was a day he fell and cut his tongue a little and was bleeding in his mouth and while he was crying my wife gave him breast milk immediately after rinsing his mouth with water so as to stop him from crying. Is it safe, and what are the risk of transmission