Question
How long does an HIV negative infant take the Ilvitrim syrup?
7 July 2016. Related: All topics, Children.
For how long can an infant take the ilvitrim suspension syrup when tested negative?
Answer
Hi
Please ask your doctor about this. The doctor will tell you why it is important and how long it need to be used for.
Usually it will be for at least 18 months. However, it also needs to be continued if breastfeeding is longer than this.
Ilvitrim syrup is a combination of two antibiotics. It protects your baby from different infections.
Hi Unknown,
It sounds like you’re doing everything you can.
All baby’s need to take a short course of HIV drugs for the first weeks of life, if their mother is HIV positive.
And if you are breastfeeding it’s recommended to breastfeed only for six months and then wean your baby onto soft food. It’s not recommended to mix breastfeeding with formula feeding as this can increase risk to your baby.
But please talk to your doctor and clinic about this. They can give advice on treatment for your baby, and the best way for you to feed her.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health. There’s info in the guide about after your baby is born.
Hi
My baby is 9 weeks, she finished her 6 week course of nevirapine Cipla. I haven’t been giving my baby nevirapine for 3 weeks now and I’m breastfeeding, I have recently found out I should be giving her something, I’m really worried I may have infected my baby.
Hi Lesego,
What does the doctor say about your baby’s treatment? All babies whose mothers are HIV positive will have a short course of HIV meds, such as nevirapine, after they are born.
So it’s important that you talk to your doctor about your baby’s treatment.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health. There’s lots of info in this including for after your baby is born.
Hi,my child is 7weeks now and is been 4 days now without giving her a nevaripine..is there any chance that she might be infected?
Hi Sylvia,
Congratulations on the news of your new baby.
But please talk to the doctor about feeding him. Switching to formula only feeding is fine. It’s good to hear you gave him nevirapine and that he’s taking Ilvitrim. So it sounds like you’re doing all you can.
But it’s important to talk to the clinic about feeding your baby. Especially as your viral load is detectable. You can also ask for another viral load test to see if it’s gone to undetectable again.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health. There’s a lot of info in this, including for after your baby is born.
Hi I’m HIV pstv and my son is 1month 16days he was given nevirapine on birth and nw he’s taking illvitrim.. But my VL was 112 the last time on my results.. I’m breastfeeding him.. Is it possible fr me to change him to formula coz I think my VL is detectable.. I myt affect the baby?
Hi Mahlangu,
But there’s probably nothing to worry about. Please don’t stress.
It’s great that you’re giving your baby the Ilvitrim syrup. And it’s good that you switched to only formula feeding with breastfeeding any more. It really sounds like you’re doing everything you can.
It will be good if you can take her to the clinic for the check up. I hope you’ve finished your exams, and have got good results.
If you live in South Africa, you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign. They might be able to support you locally with the clinic.
Hi I was breastfeeding my child until 4 months then I switched her to formula but I didn’t stop giving her the Syrup and she tested negative twice, on birth and after 10 weeks and when she was 5months they tested her but I didn’t get the result so because it was her checkup date I asked my mom to take her to the clinic since was writing my exam but they refused to help her, the want me to bring the babe. Is there anything to worry about. I’m so stressed
Hi Terry,
Please talk to your doctor about your baby’s treatment.
It’s usual for babies to be given a short course of HIV meds for the first few weeks after they’re born. But the best way to protect your baby against HIV is for you to be on HIV meds (ARVs) and have an undetectable viral load when you’re baby is delivered.
But there’s no increased risk of HIV if you are only giving her formula. However, it’s not recommended to mix feed with both formula and breastmilk.
So it sounds like you’re doing all you can. But it’s important to see your doctor to discuss your baby’s treatment, as well as your own.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi
I’m HIV positive and my baby is 6 week firstly my baby was given nevirapine and she was giving her complications and I suggested to stop giving her she not breastfeeding she on formula is there a chance that my baby should be exposed with HIV