title: HIV and reproductive care--a review of current practice.
abstract: In developed countries, antiretroviral treatment has increased life quality and expectancy of HIV-infected individuals and led to a drop in mother-to-child transmission (MCT) risk to below 1%. Fertility has been shown to be reduced in both men and women with HIV. As a result of these factors, the demand for reproductive care in this population is rising. In discordant couples where the man is positive, sperm washing significantly reduces viral transmission risk to the uninfected female partner over unprotected intercourse. Positive women do not necessarily need specialised fertility treatment but should be monitored closely during pregnancy to minimise MCT risk.
authors.affiliation: Assisted Conception Unit, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK. cgs@chelwest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gilling-Smith
authors.forename: J D M
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Nicopoullos
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Semprini
authors.forename: L C G
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Frodsham
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000941:ethics; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000628:therapy*; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000941:ethics; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control