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.
Hey m prositive have found out when I was pregnant & my husband his has tested negative & we had being not using any protection for pass 2 years but after founding out we strated to use protection I just need to find out if my husband doesn’t positive or is still not shown in his body please advise
Hi Princess from Namibia,
Do you mean you have been sleeping with someone taking ART and not using condoms? If so then it’s likely that ART has protected you from HIV. That could be the reason you tested HIV negative. What do you mean when you say you’re sick? Is that the treatment you are looking for?
Hi I had been sleeping with ART treatment me unprotected sex I’m sick but I tested negative after seven months pass…how can I get treated
Hi Johanna,
If your partner’s viral load is undetectable then you aren’t at any risk at all. Please see Q’s 9 and 14 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I’ m negative and boyfriend is HIV positive but undectable,do I have a risk if I have unprotected sex with him,or would I be risking him?
Hi Amanda,
If you’ve been on treatment for 4 years and your viral load hasn’t decreased this would indicate that there may be a problem with your meds. You may need to change. This is something that you’ll need to discuss with your doctor.
If you’re having sex without using a condom and your viral load is detectable you risk transmitting HIV to your boyfriend.
I started treatment 4years now i have been having unprotected sex with my boyfriend and my viral load do not decrease
Hi Thandi,
If your viral load has been undetectable for a few months HIV can not be transmitted if you have sex without condoms. Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U), here is the answer to this question with links for more info.
hi we both HIV positive and we on treatment so i want to know it is safe to have sex without condom?
Hi Tshidi, Your question has already been answered here.