I am HIV positive. Will this affect my sperm count?

Men living with HIV may have a low sperm count and be infertile. Women with HIV might find it difficult to conceive. However, there are many treatment options available. People living with HIV should get professional advice.

Will being pregnant make my HIV worse?

Being pregnant does not make HIV worse. A pregnant woman's CD4 count may drop a little, but will pick up again once the baby is born. A CD4 count is less important than the viral load test for checking whether treatment is working. Taking ARVs can help to boost your immune system during pregnancy.

I am HIV positive and pregnant. Is it safe for me to take ARVs?

It is safe. A high viral load is the biggest risk for mother-to-child-transmission so it is very important that you take ARVs as soon as possible if you are pregnant. It is estimated that without ART, one in four babies born to HIV positive women will be born HIV positive.

Will I have more side-effects from ARVs when I am pregnant?

Some of the side-effects that you might have from ARVs are similar to the changes that happen during pregnancy. For example, ARVs can make you want to vomit, but so does morning sickness when you are pregnant. Get advice from your healthcare worker about how to manage your pregnancy and any side-effects from the treatment.