Discordant HIV couple: Analysis of the possible contributing factors

• Main Authors: B C Ravikumar, Poornima Balakrishna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Dermatology
• Subjects: Discordance; promiscuity; inherant resistance
• Online Access: http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2013;volume=58;issue=5;spage=405;epage=405;aulast=Ravikumar

Several intricacies still abound with respect to HIV infection. Discordance is one such intriguing aspect of HIV infection. Out of 35 discordant couples included in the study. husbands were positive in 29 couples and wives in 6. Pre/extramarital affairs was the probable reason for HIV infection in 23 out of 29 discordant males, and 2 out of 6 discordant females. Even though, decreased frequency of sexual acts between the couple was the reason for discordance in a few, but in majority of the couples who had regular sexual contact for many years, the exact cause for discordance could not be ascertained. inherent resistance to HIV in some individuals may be the reasons for the discordance.