Question
Will my baby have HIV?
15 December 2016. Related: All topics, Children, Newly diagnosed, Pregnancy.
I’m HIV positive and I started taking meds on the second month of my pregnancy. I gave birth not knowing my viral load and my baby is now 6 days old and is taking nevirapine. What are the chances of him getting infected? I am also breast-feeding.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch, and congratulations on the birth of your baby.
The chances of transmitting HIV to babies is dramatically reduced if a woman’s viral load is undetectable at delivery. In most cases this happens within 1-3 months of starting meds. Sometimes it might take longer if viral load was very high when starting.
Because you started treatment early in your pregnancy, it is very likely that your viral load was undetectable. However, without knowing your results, I cannot be sure of this.
When you gave birth did you have a vaginal delivery? If you did, was this supported by your doctor? If it was, then this may be an indication that your VL was undetectable.
You being on treatment is important as this will also protect the baby while you are breastfeeding.
It is also good that your baby is taking meds as this will give extra protection.
This means there is a really good chance your baby will not have HIV.
The meds for the baby will help this and then testing is the only way to finally find out. Unfortunately, it takes a while for the testing to show this.
For more on infants and testing, please see the following:
https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Hi Esethu.
Has you baby been tested for HIV yet, if he has what were his results?
With babies it’s not possible to say for sure if they’ll be OK or not for some time, please see here:https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative I appreciate that this might be difficult, unfortunately there’s a need to wait.
It’s good that your viral load is undetectable, this is important.
With regards to feeding, babies born to positive mothers shouldn’t be mix feed. You need to give your baby either formula or if you live for example in a country in Sub Saharan Africa, breastmilk.
Hi im hiv + and im breastfeeding my son is 6 weeks now
Gave birth in January in November when i was still pregnant my viral load was 20
Is it possible that my child can be infected
Is it dangerous to mix feed
Hi YOLISWA,
With formula there’s no risk, so switching is fine.
As you’re undetectable the risk to your baby will be minimal, they will however need to be tested. There’s info about this here: https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Hi,am Hiv+ and undetected and my baby boy is 1month old but i had to stop breastfeeding due to cracked and bleeding nipples so i put him in formula and am still giving him nevirapine,must i be worried
Hi Lebogang,
First, many congratulations on the news of your baby. It sounds like you’re doing all you can for him.
But as it says on this Q&A, guidelines for breastfeeding are linked to where you live, including the country and if this is in the city or countryside. Please ask your doctor or nurse these questions. They can give you the best advice.
But it’s important to exclusively use either breastfeeding only or formula milk only.
Hello my son is 18 days and iv been breastfeeding him we both on medication,i want to change him to formula because next month im going back to work so i wanted him to get used to the formula..please help
Hi Lady i,
It’s great to hear that your viral load is undetectable, this is really important when it comes to giving birth, as well as breastfeeding. With regards to testing in babies, please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Hi am lady I.. Am hiv positive I started my treatment before I fall pregnant my cd4 count Was undetectable my baby is now 1month am afraid to go fetch his results bt he look healthy n weighty, he drank naverapine for 6weeks should I worry or?
Hi Thandi,
First, many congratulations on the news of the birth of your baby girl.
And it’s great that you are on HIV treatment (ART). That’s because ART is the best way to protect your health, and your baby’s health.
But it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or nurse about feeding her. They will know the best way to feed your baby. And they can give you advice about her vomiting too.
Hy am thandi and am positive n i started my treatment ealy thn i get pregnant n now i breastfeeding my bby bt smtimes she’s vomiting