How long will I remain discordant?

Dear doctor,
I am HIV-negative while the mother of my two children is HIV+. We have been using condoms, but one day we did not and she conceived. I tested again and I am HIV-negative. How long will I remain negative?                                            

Peter

In marriage, sex is a culmination of love and procreation. Some discordant couples no longer live happily because sex is no longer an ingredient in their lives. The HIV-positive partner should be advised to take anti-retroviral drugs for their own health even if their CD4 count is greater than 350.

This will help to reduce the HIV viral load and infection to the other partner. It is advisable to practice safe sex and use condoms throughout.

For purposes of conception, options such as introducing sperms into the woman artificially, monitoring the woman’s viral load and her ovulation period, to allow one time unprotected sexual intercourse may be considered.

For discordant couples where the man is HIV-positive, sperm washing is done for artificial insemination to reduce chances of infection to the other partner.

HIV discordant couples can live happily if they follow advise given by HIV specialists and counsellors.

Answers by Dr. Herbert Mugarura