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.
Hi can you plz clarify, i’m HIV+ and my partner tested negative, can one patner test + while the other test – but used to have unprotected sex before they test?
If my viral load is 40 and having unprotected sex with the same partner who tested negative even though we not sure whether he is + or -, can i get re-infected? Or my CD4 can drop?
Hi Matty,
Yes its possible that a persons CD4 count won’t rise above 200, and this is even if they are on medication. The fact that your viral load is undetectable means that your HIV is under control.
Hello am a 49yrs old woman tested positive on 2008 . My viral load has reached undetectable levels but CD4 still around 200 . When I first tested it was at 71. It that normal?
Hi Lolo,
You’ll be find have sex without a condom, your CD4 and viral load won’t be affected.
Hi my husband and i are Hiv positive and tested last month. His cd4 was 214 and mine was 505 when we were started on tribuss. He was very sick then for two week while now he is well recuperated. We are presently having unprotected sex can that pose a risk on my cd4 count and viral load?
Hi,
There is no risk. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
My wife is viral load is 20 . we’ve been having sex with out condom is the transmission low or zero
Hi Thabo,
A CD4 count of 1200 is strong and shows your immune system can work well. But the way to make sure that HIV is not transmitted is to have an undetectable viral load. That means a viral load of under 50 copies/mL. A person with a stable undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV even if they don’t use condoms. Please see more about Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) here.
I’m also HIV positive and have been on medication since 2012,currently my CD4 count is over 1200,is having unprotected sex with a negative person infect that person?
Hi Johntake,
The simple answer is yes, But you have to make sure of 2 things.
1. That you are on HIV treatment (ART).
2. That your viral load is undetectable and has been that way for several months.
You can read much more about Undetectable = Untransmittable here.