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 Tsepo,
If your partner is pregnant it’s important that she is on treatment with an undetectable viral load. This can mean that the baby is healthy and HIV negative.
If she is already on treatment and undetectable then there was zero risk of transmitting HIV when you had condomless sex. You can find out more from the PARTNER study here.
I slept with someone and she was hiv positive and she get pregnant coz it was unprotected sex but I’m still negative .how come???
Hi Shoterica,
If they are on meds and have an undetectable viral load, then no you won’t contract HIV. If, however their viral load is detectable you are at risk. Therefore, you’ll need to use protection.
I am in a relationship with a person with HIV he wanted have sex and oral sex I just wondering would I catch it too.
I’m HIV negative and my partner found out is Positive and we have 4 months old baby and he was tested November last year he didn’t get his results and found out this year July that he’s HIV positive with 23CD4 count n I’m negative how come it can be n I was pregnant his child…?
Hi Thuli,
Please see the above post and Q5 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi Max,
Please see Q1 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I has vaginal sex with a girl in february while doing it condom burst and i realised it when finish and during morning i take her to hospital for HIV testing where i get negative while she get positive and the doctor gave me PEP of which t ake it after 16hours and finished it for 29days after that 5months has gone ma question is since 6months is around the corner is my 5months negative good chance of been still negative next month ? In your experience did you see 5months negative change that changes to negative a month to come?
Hi Thandokazi,
Its common to be worried about your life when you’re positive. This can be scarier when you’re pregnant. Though you may be worried, you’re going to be OK. As long as you take medication you’ll be able to have a normal life. Being on meds will also reduce the risk of transmission to your baby.
For more about HIV and pregnancy, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Because you’re feeling worried, is there someone that you can talk you? Being able to talk to someone else who is positive may help.
I’m 22 yrs and I’m HIV positive and pregnant I’m so worried about my life.