Concerned - TTC and HIV

[thephin]

A girlfriend of mine is TTC and her DP is HIV+. Does anyone else have a concern about this? Her DP is on medication and the HIV count is relatively low (i.e. would not show up on test unless gp is looking for the count).

Not really sure on this one but I thought there was a way to "wash" the sperm to reduce any chance of infection. This would of course involve fertiltiy treatment though.

That's what I thought... I am just concerned. I know how much my friend wants a child. I am concerned for her and don't want her to be heartbroken. She has been looking for happiness for such a long time.

She really should go through a fertility clinic who will providing up to date advice on options such as "sperm washing". Having a low viral load (the term for HIV beign barely detectable) is NOT the same as being HIV negative. As a r esult she would still be at risk of becoming HIV positive - by its very nature sex to TTC is unsafe sex with regards infections.

I used to work for an HIV organisation and am aware that ther are some very good sources of advice available. Some suggestions are:

National Aids Helpline - Free and confidential

Positively women (even though it is her partner that is infected)

THT used to to a great leaflet for couples/women in this situation which I am pretty sure is still available.

Whatever she decides she needs to go into this with eyes as wide open as possible. The three organisations will be able to provide info on how to procede with GP etc in order to get a referral.

Thank you both very much for responding. I will pass along the information.

I know both of them are not going into this blind, and are discussing their concerns. She trusted me enough to tell me about what is going on, I just did not know who else I could express my concerns with.