Question
When will I know if my baby is negative?
28 February 2017. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Children.
Hi I’m a 21 years old lady, I have been on treatment since November 2015. When I start treatment my CD4 count was 386. My boyfriend tested negative. We decided to have a baby, in February 2016 I found out I was pregnant. I gave birth by C Section in December.My last check up before I had my baby my CD4 was 568 and my viral load was less than 20. I only breastfeed for 3 days while I was at hospital when I get home I changed to formula when I go to clinic for 6 weeks my son’s results was negative…is there any possibility next visit I got bad news?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch, and congratulations on the birth of your baby.
Because you were undetectable when you gave birth, and because your child has already tested negative, this is an excellent start. It means that its highly likely that your child will be negative. However, to be sure you will need to have them tested as advised. Only then will you know for sure. For more info about testing in babies, please see here:
https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Hi Ssekyanzi,
Do you know what your wives viral load is? When thinking about transmission to babies, this is what’s important, not the mothers CD4 count.
Hello.
My wife is HIV positive, pregnant and less than a week to give birth. She inconsistently took her pills and last checked her art card when she is in stage 2. Are there chances of a HIV negative baby if she consistently adheres to medication from now and the medication (nevirapine syrup) for the baby after birth?
Hi Zah,
What did the doctor say about it? You can ask them if you need to have another HIV test to confirm this. And to rule out a false positive result.
Do you know what kind of HIV test this was? Please see this link for different tests for HIV.
If you have only just tested positive, have you started HIV treatment (ART) yet? And do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load result?
However, it’s important you both see the doctor, for your own health and for your baby’s health.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
I tested negetive when i was giving birth but after few days i tested positive, could my child be infected
Hi Lindiwe,
If your child is unwell, they will need to see a health care professional. If they didn’t have a HIV test at 18 months old, then they should also have a HIV test. This will confirm if they are OK.
Im a hiv mother and my son is 5 years and his keep on having running stomach but he did hus tests when he was born now i need to know is it possible for new born to test negetive then after year then be pisitive please help im worried
Hi Gold.
If you’re viral load is undetectable then yes there’s no reason why you couldn’t have a vaginal birth. Breastfeeding guidelines vary depending on where someone lives. Please see here for more info about pregnancy and HIV:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Good day. Am 16wks 2days and was diagnosed HIV positive with cd4 count of 713. Plz can I deliver by myself and also breastfeed my baby? Am now on drugs.
Hi Niki,
Its still possible to have a baby who is negative even if you’ve been diagnosed late within pregnancy. You will however need to have specialist care and ideally if its possible you should have a c-section. A c-section will reduce the risk of transmission. There’s more about this here in our pregnancy guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I am 38 weeks pregnant, found out that I am HIV positive at 36 weeks. I got my results back from the laboratory on this Monday, Hiv viral load is 68764 and cd4 % of Lympohocytes is 20.73 L, and absolute Cd4 is 491. Now I don’t know. Is it possible my baby will be born negative. Or its late since I’ve started treatment at 36 weeks. M really worried about my baby