Thread by @FirstDoctor

5 things you should do if one partner is HIV-positive & the other is HIV-negative

1.Test for HIV together
2.Use condoms correctly
3.HIV-positive partner should take antiretroviral drugs, regardless of viral load
4.Plan for HIV-free babies
5.Don't stigmatize

A thread 🧵

{RT}

You're a couple so deeply in love with each other, ready to marry, or already married. You find out your partner is HIV positive. But you want to continue with your relationship.

It's totally fine! Just ensure you do these 5 things;

First things first - go for HIV counselling & testing TOGETHER!

Research shows that only 40% of HIV-positive people know their HIV status. And of this percentage, many have not disclosed their status to their partners, nor do they know their partners’ status.

In fact, nearly half of HIV-positive people in on-going relationships have HIV-negative partners.

For couples in such serodiscordant relationships (where one partner is + & the other -), going for HIV Counselling & Testing TOGETHER gives them the chance to test, get results & mutually disclose their status in a place where they are supported by a counsellor or health worker.

After the HIV tests, various prevention, treatment & support options can then be discussed with you both & agreed jointly, depending on the status of each partner.

This will not only build trust in your affair but also help you know the true picture of your partner's status!

Second, #condoms will play a huge role in a serodiscordant relationship.

Whether male or female condoms, using them well will further lower your partner's risks of getting HIV & other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, & herpes.

Next, the HIV-positive partner should take their antiretroviral drugs, irrespective of their immune status (CD4 count or viral load).

Starting treatment early will reduce the risk of HIV transmission between partners by up to 96% & improve the life expectancy of the +ve partner.

A lot of studies show that when a HIV-positive partner takes their treatment early, consistently & correctly, they can bring the level of HIV in their blood so low that the virus becomes undetectable & they can't transmit the virus.

Also, pan on having HIV-negative babies either through Natural or Assisted means.

1. Natural method follows that you can actually have HIV-free babies if you're partner's viral load is extremely low.
2. Sperm washing (for males)!

Recommended article!
mg.co.za/article/2019-0…

Finally, ensure you leave no room for stigmatization. Don't discriminate against your partner because if their status. They need your support, not your stigma.

To conclude, if you're in a serious r/ship & one partner is HIV-positive while the other is HIV-negative;

-Do HIV test together
-Use condoms well
-HIV-positive partner should always take their drugs
-Plan to make HIV-free babies
-Don't stigmatize!

You'll live happy together!

@DrOlufunmilayo @nma_halliday @trending_medic @wakawaka_doctor @healthertainer @aproko_doctor @DoctorEmto @drpenking @KelvinOssai @Dlaureate @ronikpe