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 2016 from a question first posted online in November 2011.
Hi Asakhe, Yes, if you’re taking ARVs, and you’re undetectable, it can protect the baby from HIV – and also protect your partner if they are HIV negative. You can talk to the clinic about ways to look after your health, and the baby’s health, while you’re pregnant.
I am HIV positive and i’m pregnant..
Can I have sex without a condoms because i’m taking my ARVs?
Dear Siya, All HIV positive mothers here in the UK are strongly recommended not to breastfeed. This is regardless of their CD4, viral load or HIV treatment. What country do you live in Siya? Do you have access to formula milk and clean bottles? You can read more about breastfeeding in this guide.
Hi I’m Siya I’m pregnant and my CD4 count is 460 can I breastfeed.
Hi Sibongile, If you’re on treatment and undetectable the risk of transmission is as close to zero as scientists will ever be able to prove. So you have a new freedom to enjoy sex without condoms – so long as this is your personal choice, and you are not worried about pregnancy or other STIs. You can read more here. Can your doctor or clinic give you and your husband support?
hi
i wanna know I have a problem that I don’t know how to resolve it…the guy I decided to marry is the father of my 1st born child….we were separated for two years….now that we got back together we have been using protection he once said he is tired of condom. …asked him to get tested but he is refusing infact he doesnt take that serious . he asks all lot of questions that doesn’t make sense.he threw away the bag of condom that was in the house….I will ask for sex where else he knows we can’t have it without a protection .we now not sexually active because of this issue. …is this guy selfish or what??
please help me
Hi Andiswa,
Unless your viral load is undetectable its not recommended that a women who is positive breastfeed. These are however UK guidelines. Is formula an option?
I’m HIV positive when I was pregnant my second baby girl 2004.I not breastfeeding she is negative and I feel pregnant again in 2008 and I breastfeed he is negative I’m starting treatment on 2016 my viral load is to low now I’m pregnant again 30 weeks I’m so scared to pass Hiv in my baby and I like to breastfeed what can I do I take blood on 7/02/18 my viral load is 369 can I choose breastfeeding
Hi Jerry,
Being in an accident is not a way that HIV is transmitted. Here is a list of ways that HIV is not transmitted.
hi, my sister had one accident unfortunately that person blood spread on my sister mouth. That person have hiv Negative feedback.so if it’s possible for hiv????