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 am Mpume from Durban and am Hiv+ and my partner he’s negative and we having unprotected sex……I wanna ask if there is any danger if we having unprotected sex and what are the risk of getting sick cause I might be doing something which is not right……..my partner he’s on prep pills since he knows my status
Hi I’m Princess,
Are you on medication? If you are and your viral load is undetectable, then there’s no risk. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
If your viral load is undetectable, then your partner needs to be aware that there is a risk of infection if he doesn’t use a condom. However, no man has the right to demand that sex should only be without a condom. It’s your body, so it should be respected.
I’m HIV positive my partner is negative, if I told him that we should have sex with condom I will not accept that, he like a sex without. What should I do
Hi Priscy,
Please can you explain a bit more. Are you HIV positive and is that why you are worried?
Are you on HIV treatment, and do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results. Please let us know.
Annon
My partner lived with hiv + ex for 4 years they had unprotected sex all the way till they break up and when he test he is negative we went twice and am positive since I meet him, am faithful to him I worried, please help
Hi Zandile,
If you’re on medication and your viral load is undetectable there won’t be any risk to your sexual partners. However if your viral load isn’t undetectable you are putting these people at risk. Having multiple partners also carries the risk of contracting other STI’s
Yes, I’m HIV positive and I’m having 3 boyfriend that I’m sleeping with them while they don’t know and sometimes I’m having unprotected sex with them so I need help because I think I’m killing myself while I thought I’m spreading it to them pls I need help.
Hi Kate,
Reinfection isn’t something that’s very common. However, it can happen. Please see here for more info: http://i-base.info/qa/14712
My virus is undetected and my partner is hiv positive,we jst started dating and we are not using condoms,is there any risk for us to be re- infected?
Hi Sihle,
Alcohol has no effect on your CD4 when positive, so its ok to have a drink.
With regards to time, if its a few hours either side of your normal time, this isn’t an issue.
You can lose weight when on medication, however its not very common. How much weight have you lost, and over what period of time?