Silvia Azaña, an embryologist at inviTRA, explains in this video what HIV is and how it is transmitted, as well as the options offered by assisted reproduction:
The human immunodeficiency virus, which is more commonly referred to as HIV, is a retrovirus that is transmitted through blood, sexual fluids and vertical transmission from mother to child. It is very important to clearly distinguish between HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS, which is the most serious stage of the condition that can affect those infected with HIV, given that their immune system is greatly impaired.
The fact that HIV is sexually transmitted means that it may be advisable to resort to assisted reproduction techniques in order to achieve pregnancy. In this way, the risk of transmission of the virus from one partner to the other can be reduced in the case of being serodiscordant. It should be noted that a serodiscordant couple consists of one partner who carries the virus while the other does not.
Nonetheless, if both members of the couple are seropositive, reinfection with different strains could be detrimental since it might exacerbate the condition of the illness. Therefore, these couples could also opt for assisted reproduction if they wish to have children.
In the case that the man is HIV positive, a semen wash will be performed to prevent transmission to the woman during attempts to achieve pregnancy.
