Question
I have a viral load of 39,000 – will my baby be safe?
11 December 2015. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Pregnancy.
My CD4 is 230 and my viral load is 39000, i’m on a treatment can my baby be protected?
Answer
Hi,
Many HIV positive mothers have HIV negative children today. This is done using treatment.
Have you just started treatment or have you been on it a while? If you have just started this is exactly the right thing to do. Your viral load will quickly go down. This will prevent your baby being born with HIV.
Is the viral load test recent? Was it taken after you started treatment? If you have been on treatment for more than a month or so and you have just had that viral load result you should speak to your clinic or doctor. The viral load could be showing that your medication is not working properly. If this is the case it is important that you change combination to medication that works.
You can find lots of information about HIV and pregnancy in our online guide.
Hi Dineo, congratulations on your pregnancy. Are you on treatment? As your viral load is 457 it suggests that you are. Being on treatment with a suppressed viral load is the best way to keep you and baby healthy. A viral load as low are yours means there is very little risk of transmission. The doctor will consider other factors inc. how long you have been on medication and last VL to determine what medication is given to baby after birth: https://i-base.info/qa/19891
Hey I’m 5months pregnant and im hiv positive and last time l did the test they said my viral load is 457 is my baby going to be okay I’m worried
Yes, starting HIV treatment (ART) can help keep your baby safe.
Here in the UK, HIV guidelines recommend starting ART at any CD4 count and continuing it. Unfortunately HIV can be transmitted to the baby by breastfeeding. It’s recommended that you bottle feed your baby. Do you have access to formula, clean bottles and sterilising equipment?
If you don’t have access, the WHO (World Health Organisation) says that mothers who are on HIV treatment should exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. After that the baby can be weaned onto a safe diet without breastfeeding.
You can find out more about HIV, women’s health and pregnancy here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi. I am 6 months pregnant and just tested HIV positive with a CD4 count of 1295. My gynaecologist said I should start treatment to prevent the baby from being infected. But he said I should stop it after birth. Will my baby be safe?