Why all babies born to HIV positive mothers initially test positive?
Babies born to HIV positive mothers will always test HIV positive using an HIV antibody test. This is normal and does not mean your baby has HIV. Your baby shares your immune responses that the antibody test looks for. It sometimes takes up to 18 months for these responses to gradually disappear.
Can a HIV positive mother have a HIV negative baby?
Q: Can two HIV-positive parents have an HIV-negative child? Yes, they can. Although HIV can pass from a woman with HIV to her child during pregnancy, at the time of birth, or when breast-feeding the infant, medical treatment of both the mother and her infant can minimize the chances of that happening.
How is it possible for an infant born to an HIV positive mother to be uninfected?
Babies whose mothers have HIV, but who are not HIV-infected themselves, are born with lower levels of specific proteins in their blood called antibodies, which fight infection, compared with babies not exposed to HIV, a new study has found.
Can I breastfeed while taking Arvs?
If you do not have access to formula and clean, boiled water all of the time, you may be advised to breastfeed while both you and your baby are taking antiretroviral treatment. If you do breastfeed, you must always take your treatment and exclusively breastfeed (give breastmilk only) for at least six months.
How many times should I give my baby nevirapine?
In many developing countries, a two-dose regimen of nevirapine (NVP) around the time of birth is advocated as the most cost-effective way to prevent mother to child HIV transmission. One dose is taken by the mother at the onset of labour and one dose is given to her baby, between 48 and 72 hours after birth.
Is it safe to breastfeed while on ARVs?
Mothers who are on consistent antiretroviral treatment (ARV) throughout the breastfeeding period have an extremely low risk of transmitting HIV to their babies. Supporting an HIV-positive woman’s ability to breastfeed through ARV treatment and lactation counseling gives children the lifesaving benefits of breastmilk.