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Review
. 2012 Nov;7(6):569-78.
doi: 10.1097/COH.0b013e328358bac9.

Antiretrovirals and safer conception for HIV-serodiscordant couples

Lynn T Matthews  1 , Jennifer A Smit, Susan Cu-Uvin, Deborah Cohan
Affiliations
Review

Antiretrovirals and safer conception for HIV-serodiscordant couples

Lynn T Matthews et al. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2012 Nov.

Erratum in

  • Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2013 Jan;8(1):86

Abstract

Purpose of review: Many men and women living with HIV and their uninfected partners attempt to conceive children. HIV-prevention science can be applied to reduce sexual transmission risk while respecting couples' reproductive goals. Here we discuss antiretrovirals as prevention in the context of safer conception for HIV-serodiscordant couples.

Recent findings: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the infected partner and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the uninfected partner reduce the risk of heterosexual HIV transmission. Several demonstration projects suggest the feasibility and acceptability of antiretroviral (ARV)s as periconception HIV-prevention for HIV-serodiscordant couples. The application of ARVs to periconception risk reduction may be limited by adherence.

Summary: For male-infected (M+F-) couples who cannot access sperm processing and female-infected (F+M-) couples unwilling to carry out insemination without intercourse, ART for the infected partner, PrEP for the uninfected partner, combined with treatment for sexually transmitted infections, sex limited to peak fertility, and medical male circumcision (for F+M couples) provide excellent, well tolerated options for reducing the risk of periconception HIV sexual transmission.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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