Question

My partner is positive, can I get pregnant?

8 September 2016. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Pregnancy, South Africa.

I am a woman engaged to an HIV positive man. We had unprotected sex for a week before we found out he was positive and I negative. Afterwards we used condoms after a nurse discussed safe ways of having sex. 4 months down the line i fell pregnant even though we use condoms consistently every time. Since the baby and I are negative he wants unprotected sex because of the dowry he is about to pay. I refuse at all time and because of my status he now says he is negative as and believes it was a false positive. I am confused. What are the chances of falling pregnant whilst using protection and still not contracting the virus?

Answer

Answer: Muirgen Stack

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the complex situation you are in. if your partner was diagnosed as HIV positive then he is HIV positive. Is he currently taking any meds for his HIV?

If he takes meds and keeps his viral load “undetectable” then it is possible to have an HIV negative baby together without using condoms. Please see this link for more.

Until then condoms are very effective at preventing pregnancy and preventing transmission of HIV.  If you partner is HIV positive, and is not on HIV treatment then you are at risk of catching HIV if you don’t use condoms.