Question
Is my baby HIV positive?
27 February 2008. Related: All topics, Children, HIV testing, Pregnancy.
I am HIV-positive. I was on treatment during pregnancy and I had a normal delivery. I did not breastfeed. My viral load was undetectable when the baby was born.
My baby’s HIV test was done after four months. I received a letter from the clinic saying her test is a likely reflection of my status. I was also told that the test had to be repeated after two months. I am worried. Does that mean that my baby is definitely HIV-positive?
Answer
Thank you for your question. All babies born to HIV positive mothers will test HIV-positive with an HIV antibody test at first because they share their mothers antibodies and immune system. If the baby is does not have HIV, then mother’s antibodies will slowly disappear, but this may take a long as 18 months.
The best test for HIV in babies is called an HIV PCR DNA test. This test looks for the virus in the baby’s blood rather than at immune responses. Babies should be tested the day they are born, then at one month and then again at three months. If all of these tests are negative and the mother is not breastfeeding, then the baby is HIV negative.
Lastly, when the baby is 18 months old you should be told that your baby no longer has your antibodies.
hi please help me,I just gave birth my baby is 10 days old now am worried with regard to my status am even scared to take her for 6weeks HIV test.
Hi Vee,
I’m sorry to hear that you are going through this with your child.
Even if your baby has tested positive at 10 weeks this does not necessarily mean that she is positive.
Babies born to HIV positive mothers will always test HIV positive using an HIV antibody test.
This is normal and does not mean your baby has HIV. Your baby shares your immune responses that the antibody test looks for. It sometimes takes up to 18 months for these responses to gradually disappear.
The baby will be tested using an HIV PCR DNA or RNA test. These tests look for virus in the baby’s blood.
In the UK, it is good practice to test the baby on the day she or he is born. The test is repeated after six weeks and again at three months.
If all these tests are negative, and you are not breastfeeding your baby, then your baby does not have HIV.
You will also be told that your baby no longer has your antibodies when he or she is 18 months old.
What treatment has she been given? And what have they explained to you? Do you also know what tests they have done?
I tested positive 5days before my delivery I started treatment and gave my child nevirapine 6weeks after birth my child tested negative she was tested again at 10week they say she’s positive worse I don’t breastfeed she’s on treatment now they say I must bring her for test at 6months I don’t know what to believe
Hi Nontokozo,
If your baby has so far tested negative and you bottle feed her, she will be negative. For the thrush, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about this. They’ll be able to prescribe something.
In treatment, then fall pregnant,gave birth to a negative baby girl.I’m bottle feeding from giving birth, she tested n found neg.Now 17 months, she’s got oral thrash, does that means she’s infected.
Thanks a lot
Hi Faith, it sounds like your baby is negative and you have nothing to worry about. Please talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
She did test at 18 months and it was finger prick test(rapid) and it was negative…..she drunk somebody’s breast milk .the milk was in the bottle ,it was for the lil boy.and we dont kn the status of the mother.and since the tested negative is she fine? She is 19 months old now nd she tested at 18 months and 5 days old.
Hi Faith,
If the baby was not born to a HIV+ mother, she can be tested now. How was she exposed?
When she was 7 months old