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.
I’m HIV+ and pregnant. I’ve never taken meds, will my baby be OK?
Hi Zodwa,
Please see the following link:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Hy,I only found out that am HIV+ during my pregnancy. I gave birth normal and they tested the baby and he was negative. But am still breastfeeding and he is taking neverapine.my viral load was undetectable. So should I be worried about his status because they never test him again and he’s 2 months
Hi Nony,
The test should go to the lab, once they have the results you should be told about this. This should only take a few weeks, however this is vary depending on where you live. For more about testing in babies, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
When you gave birth, were you on meds? Are you still on meds? What is your viral load?
Hi i am hiv positive ,i gave birth on the 19th July and my baby has been tested with PCR test and they didnt explain anything from. They just gave me me Cipla NVP and said i must breastfeed the child. So am worried is also my child affected? when must i get the Pcr test results?or i suppose to get it on that day?or the test goes to the lab then i must wait?
Hi Jacqui,
Its good practice to test babies 3 times, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Even if your doctor doesn’t think that there is a need, your baby should still be tested. Given that you were on meds and your viral load was undetectable, its very unlikely that your baby will be positive.
Hello I’m hiv+. I’ve been taking my treatment since 2015 and since then my viral load has been undetected. I gave birth to a my son last year July via c-section. I didn’t breastfeed him and I gave him nivarapin as I was told by the Dr. They only tested him once when he was a month old and he tested negative. My Dr told me there was no need for her to test her again because my viral load was undetected and I didn’t breastfeed him and i gAve hI’m the syrup. So my concern is, I keep reading that when you + you must test the baby at least 3 times and I only tested him once.
Hi Wanda,
Are you on medication? Do you have an undetectable viral load? How old is your baby? How long have they been taking medication for? Have you had them tested yet?
If you could get back to us, we’ll be able to help. In the meantime, the following guide is very useful:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I am hiv positive & I have been giving my baby niverapine as am breastfeeding should I be worried about my baby status as @ the creche they have been feeding him porridge.
Hi Octavia,
Its common to be worried about testing in babies. It does however need to be done and it can take up to 18months to know for sure if your baby is negative or not. What was your viral load when you gave birth? Did you breastfeed?
Please see here for more info about testing :
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy