New advancement may allow HIV-infected men to reproduce safely

HIV-positive men may be able to safely impregnate their female partners through the use of improved semen-washing techniques, according to a recent study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.

"I think the procedure is getting safer and safer. It's an acceptable procedure for couples that really want to have children," Dr. Deborah Anderson told the news source.

Researchers evaluated the results from earlier studies involving more than 1,800 women, whose male partners were infected with HIV.

The females received fertility treatments that involved the injection of washed sperm into eggs that were either inside the uterus or extracted for out-of-body insemination.

According to the study's findings, about 85 percent of the treatments resulted in new births and none of the mothers or babies were infected with HIV. However, the researchers noted that as many as eight out of every 100 washed sperm samples showed traces of the virus in tests that were conducted prior to fertilization.

Each year, between 100 and 200 babies are born who contracted HIV while in their mothers' womb. Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among parents-to-be may help reduce the incidence of perinatal transmission.

Online testing services are available to anyone who would like to be screened for STDs.