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
my little sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I was going through her babybag when I found her baby card, it stated mother is HIV positive. I asked her and she cried and told me about her status. My worry is she’s breastfeeding. The clinic said she can breastfeed. The thing is the child doesn’t seem to be getting full from the breast milk. His mouth is constantly open and he cry’s a lot. Can we buy a formula for the child? My little sister is clueless, so am I because I don’t have children, I’m afraid. How can we help him?
Hi Jabu,
Congratulations on your pregnancy.
You’ve still got some time for your viral load to become undetectable. You’re actaully nearly there. So try not to panic about this too much. I know though that this can be difficult.
With regards to breastfeeding, the World Health Organisation recommendations are that if a woman in on treatment then she can breastfeed her baby. There’s more about baby feeding here:
http://i-base.info/qa/6656
You may also find our HIV and pregnancy guide helpful:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi please help I’m worried alot about my baby’s status. I tested positive when i was 13 weeks pregnant and started taking treatment. At 32 weeks my viral load was 75 copies I don’t want to breastfeed but because I don’t work yet I might have to but I plan on doing that for just a few weeks, will it be safe to do so because I don’t not want to infect my baby and this stresses me alot and will it be wise for me to breastfeed my baby
Hi Asive,
When did you give birth to your baby? And what tests have you had done so far? Other than the word exposed, what else was written?
When testing for HIV in babies, good practice is that 3 tests are done. One at birth, one at 6 weeks then one at 3 months. If these all come back negative, then a child will be negative. For more info on this please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
If you were on treatment throughout your pregnancy and are still on treatment then the risks of transmission will be low.
hi am Asive and am 21 years.I tested HIV positive in 2015.this year me and my boyfriend got involved in unprotected sex when we were both drunk and I felt pregnant. I gave birth to a premature weighs 2,04.the baby was tested and results came back and written exposed. am breastfeeding.is it possibly to pass HIV to my baby.please answer am so worried.
Hi Faith,
Finger prick tests are very accurate as the following link discusses:
http://i-base.info/qa/2083
Therefore, if your daughter has always tested negative then she will be negative. The swollen glands could be caused by various things. This is something that you will need to talk to her doctor about.
Can i trust the rapid finger prick test guys .i am really worried course she is having swollen glands behind the ear and its been months now i dont know if its caused by the earings on her ear or what and it keeps me panicking all the time.and i once told the Dr about it he said it will dissapper as time goes by.Remember she is 20 months old and the test still says negative .please guys help can i trust the finger prick hiv test?
Hi Faith,
If you daughter has tested negative at 18 months and now at 20, then she is negative. Congratulations.
Hi my daughter tested hiv negative at 18months old with finger prick hiv test.yesterdays i bought home rapid hiv test to test my baby again it was negative and now she is 20 months old .can my mind rest now.
Hi Zinhle,
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter.
For me to be able to give you some info, I’ll need some more information. During your pregnancy were you on meds? If yes when did you start taking them? When you gave birth, what was your viral load? Are you currently breastfeeding? And was your daughter given meds for her own health?
Testing babies can be a stressful time and experience. However, its important that babies who are born to HIV positive mothers are tested. It is the tests that will let you know how they are. For more on testing of babies please see the following link:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative