Question
Does unprotected sex affect CD4 count?
13 March 2012. Related: All topics, Resistance, Starting treatment.
Both my partner and I are positive.
I recently did my blood test and my CD4 count has dropped from 515 to 112 in a year. I was informed that I had to start medication.
He is not on meds as yet. We try our best to practice safe sex. But can this cause me to become resistant or continue lowering my CD4
Please assist.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry your CD4 count has dropped so quickly fast. The good news in that, your CD4 will increase back to where is was, or higher in some cases, once you start treatment. You may find it useful to read our guide An introduction to combination therapy. The guide explains how treatment works, in more detail.
It is good that you do your best to use protection when you have sex. Unprotected sex will not affect your CD4 count. There is a small chance of resistance. However, this is only an issue if you have a different strain of HIV from your partner. If both of you have the same strain then the main risk of having unprotected sex would be STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections).
Although HIV positive people can be re-infected with a different type of HIV, the risk of this is probably lower than the risk of catching HIV when you are HIV negative.
On another note, can I ask if both you and your partner are in contact with support groups for positive people? Many find it helpful to share experiences and ways of coping with living with HIV.
You did not specify where you live. However, if you did want to make contact with support groups, your doctor will be able to refer you to one in your area.
Am positive and my CD4 is it was 700-1100. when should I start with treatment
Hi Peace,
There’s no right way to tell someone that you love about your status. For some people it comes easy, for others it can be a very stressful situation.
You have to make the decision, no one else can do this for you. However, being able to answer any possible questions that they may have could help. So life expectancy, transmission etc.
With regards to transmission, as long as you’re on meds and your viral load is undetectable you cannot transmit HIV. There’s more about this here:
http://i-base.info/htb/32308
Good luck with whatever it is you deiced to do.
Hi am HIV positive with a cd4 of 650 I want to get married but don’t know how to tell my would be husband am having HIV I don’t also know if having sex with him without protection is safe.
Hi Andie,
If you’re pregnant and bleeding when having sex this is something that you’ll need to talk to a doctor about. For info about pregnancy and HIV, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi iam Andie and iam HIV positive both me and my partner and I also 4weeks pregnant but the problem is during sex I am breeding can I be born a baby with HIV?
Hi Benjie, having sex without a condom doesn’t affect your wife’s CD4 count or viral load unless this involves a new STI.
Hi, I am an HIV negative male and my wife is positive. Can unprotected sex cause her viral load to drop?
Hi Jason,
If you’re worried about contracting HIV, you don’t need to be this is because once someone has an undetectable viral load they can’t transmit HIV through sexual intercourse. Please see here:
http://i-base.info/htb/32308
Hi, I’m an HIV negative male. My partner is HIV positive and has been taking arvs for a few years. She says her viral load is undetectable and want to try for a baby. Is there anything I should worry about?
Hi Milimoh,
As long as your viral load is undetectable it won’t be treatment failure. Therefore its important that you find out what your viral load is. The CD4 change could be simple a blip.
Do you know why your regime was changed?