Reproduction in Couples with Chronic Viral Infections

Chronic viral diseases impose a special responsibility for healthcare workers devoted to obstetric and human reproduction to avoid the risk of infection for the partner or the expected child. Attitudes towards carriers of viral infections are rapidly changing as a result of better medication and, consequently, a better long-term prognosis, which contribute to the progress being made in areas of cell biology and biochemistry. These infections may be transmitted from mother to child at different times not only during pregnancy, but also during intrapartum and postpartum periods. Gynaecologists should be prepared to counsel affected couples about the risks involved with natural and assisted conception and pregnancy and to recognise available testing and treatment options to optimise outcomes. We described the specificities of assisted reproductive techniques for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-, hepatitis C virus (HCV)- and hepatitis B virus (VHB)- infected patients, follow-up during pregnancy, recommendations about antiretroviral therapy (ARV) and delivery modes. Keywords: HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, assisted reproduction, pregnancy, infertility