Question
Can an HIV positive man still have children?
24 March 2007. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
Can an HIV positive man still have children? If so, what is the risk to mother and child?
Answer
Thanks for your question which is very easy to answer.
The simple answer is a definite “yes” as being on modern HIV treatment also protects your partner.
As long as viral load is undetectable, the risk of transmission becomes zero. This means that your partner will not be at risk and the baby will be negative too.
The risk of a baby having HIV is only directly related to the HIV status of the mother, not the father.
So if your partner is also HIV positive, this is how you can have an HIV negative baby.
The i-Base guide to HIV, Pregnancy and Women’s Health includes a chapter on planning pregnancies and is available online or in print.
Note: This answer was last updated in January 2018 from an original post from March 2007.
I have been hiv+ for almost three years. My girlfriend and I want to have a baby. .what can we do. We can’t afford a sperm wash. And we want to try naturally. My viral load is 92 and is undetectable is it safe for us to try for a baby. My girlfriend is hiv- by the way
Hi Halle,
I’m very sorry to hear about your last pregnancy. This must have been very difficult for you and your partner.
Many couples where one person is positive and the other negative have been able to have healthy pregnancies and babies. This is generally easier when the woman is negative because the only risk is during conception. Because the man here is undetectable the risk of transmission is very low you should be able to try again. There’s no reason why the man’s HIV positive status should cause a difficult pregnancy (if the woman remains negative). It is more likely that this was bad luck or related to something other than HIV.
If you would like more information you can read our HIV, pregnancy and women’s health guide. I wish you and your partner the best of luck!
Hi
Hi can -female and +male have safe pregnancy male virus undetectable but last pregnancy ended still birth 9 month at birth no abnormalities detected by gynecologist female tested – after delivery couple is together over 10 yrs
Hi Esethu,
I have now emailed you the information above. If you would like any further information please let me know!
Can you please have the information above emailed to me?
Dear Cindy
I am sorry about your boyfriend’s recent diagnosis. Is he in contact with support groups for people living with HIV? Many people find it helpful to share experiences and ways of coping with a new diagnosis.
In response to your question, If you tested negative during pregnancy and tested negative recently, then your baby is not positive.
Hi my boyfriend recently tested HIV positive. My test came back HIV negative we are this relationship for 5yrs. Without using protection. My problem is we have a 19 month old boy I tested HIV negative during pregnancy. Can my baby be HIV positive since his father is positive?
Hello Lebone
There are a number of conception options available for a sero different couple like you.(where one is HIV positive and the other is HIV negative). For more information on these options, please follow this link to our guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/woman-hiv-positive
Good luck.
i just found recently that am hiv positive and my husband is negative is it safe for as to try and have a baby?
Hi Chris,
I’m very sorry to hear that your girlfriend has broken up with you. Unfortunately some people don’t know how to deal with finding out that their partner has HIV. A lot of this is because of fear and ignorance, not understanding what it means to be HIV positive. It’s not surprising that you feel this is unfair. It’s your girlfriend’s choice how she decides to deal with this but it’s important that you look after yourself and look towards the future. Even if this relationship doesn’t work out there is no reason why being HIV positive should stop you having a relationship in the future. HIV positive people can have healthy sex lives and relationships. They can also have children with negative partners. Our guide to HIV testing and sexual transmission, and our guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health can both tell you more about this.