Question

When will I know if my baby is negative?

5 April 2019. Related: All topics, Children, HIV testing.

My baby tested negative on all of his tests, now my question is what are the chances of the tests changing, because we are only lest with the last test that must be done when he is 18 months old.

He did PCR at 6 weeks and again at 6 months and they were both negative

And when i gave birth my vl was below 50 copies and gave birth by C-section .

Answer

Answer: Lisa Thorley

Thanks for getting in touch.

It’s very unlikely that your childs status is going to change. Your HIV was under control when you gave birth and they’ve already tested negative twice. The 18 month test is more of a precautionary thing.Please see here for more info: https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative

10 comments

Josh Peasegood • 5 July 2023

Hi Ruth, skipping these antibiotics will not risk baby’s status. These antibiotics are not used to prevent HIV transmission. Instead they are used to prevent other infections they may be at risk of while breastfeeding. As baby had not been breastfeeding for a month prior, there is no harm to having missed these antibiotics for 5 days.
Ruth • 4 July 2023

Hi,my name is Ruth. My baby tested negative for the first tests up to when I weaned her at 10 months.After a month without breastfeeding, she skipped sulfran antibiotics for 5 days,, am now worried,,could her status change ,,or she z still negative?
Lisa Thorley • 22 May 2019

Hi Dee,

Yes you and your baby will be ok. Missing one dose of meds won’t have caused any issues with your viral load.
Dee • 22 May 2019

Hi…my baby is 7 months now and breastfeeding…I have been on meds and never missed a dose since i was 5 months pregnant…but i forget to take my meds and that of my baby bcoz we went somewhere and returned home late only last Saturday…pls will my baby be ok ???asking because of the breastfeeding
Roy Trevelion • 4 May 2019

Hi Emmanuel,

Yes, lamivudine, tenofovir and dolutegravir is safe and effective. Many HIV positive people in South Africa are now taking this medication.
Emmanuel • 4 May 2019

Thanks Roy

I have been on lamivudine tenofovir and Efavirenz for almost 2 years now. I just got info that by Monday when my current medication will finish. I will be given a combination of lamivudine tenofovir dolutegravir. This is not related to any lab test or complaint. They want to place everyone on this combination now. Is it safe for me to change to this combination or is there any effect. Will appreciate your early response.
Roy Trevelion • 15 April 2019

Hi Emmanuel,

Thanks for making this clear. But unfortunately mix feeding with both breastmilk and formula is not recommended.

Please see what Angelina says on the question of what is the safest way to feed your baby.

The World Health Organisation recommends that if a woman is taking HIV treatment (ART), then she should breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. After 6 months the baby can then be weaned onto a safe diet without breastfeeding.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended because mixed feeding carries a greater risk of transmission.

But please talk to your doctor about feeding your baby. It’s great that he tested HIV negative at 6 weeks
Emmanuel • 15 April 2019

Thanks Lisa

I meant he was strictly on breast milk before we gave him formulated milk at 3 month. Are we to continue on the breast milk or mix the both.
Lisa Thorley • 10 April 2019

Hi Emmanuel,

Its great to hear that your baby tested negative at 6 weeks, this is a good sign. For more info about testing in babies, please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative

With regards to feeding, you’ve said that for the first three months he was on exclusive then you added milk, what do you mean?
Emmanuel • 10 April 2019

Greeting Lisa

We tested my baby for his status at 6 weeks and it was negative. When are we to do the test again and how do we follow up to ensure he is completely free. He was on exclusive until the third month before we added milk for him.