Question
Do I test my child if my wife was positive during pregnancy?
15 December 2011. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Children, HIV transmission, Pregnancy.
My wife was tested HIV positive when she was pregnant. I was shocked hearing that. But when I got tested, the result came out to be non-reactive (negative). But, we kept the matter to ourselves because first – we were afraid of society and second – we thought may be due to pregnancy the test is positive. Due to this my wife didn’t get any treatment for HIV even during giving birth to the child. In fact, no treatment is given till. Now, the child is two and half years old and he is healthy. But, the fear was still inside us and hence my wife and me went for testing. The result was same this time also. She is HIV Positive and I am negative. Even her western-blot also came out to be positive.
So, my first question is how come my child is still healthy (even after 2 years) apart from minor cold and cough occasionally? Or may be he doesn’t have HIV. Do we need to take him for testing?
My second question is general one. If no treatment is given to mother to prevent transmission of HIV (absolutely no treatment), how soon or late the child shows HIV symptoms?
Answer
Hi
Because your wife was HIV positive during the pregnancy your child needs to have an HIV test, especially because your wife did not use treatment.
You cannot rely on symptoms of lack of symptoms to guess this. Testing is essential for your child’s future health.
This is just the right age for a regular HIV antibody test to work. Children usually need to use a viral load test when they are first born and until they are about two years or older.
The second issue, and one that is just as important, is that your wife needs to have access to care for her own health. This will include routine monitoring and then access to treatment when this is recommended. The health of every child is also closely connected to the future health of his or her mother.
There are HIV positive people in every country in the world. There are also usually a network of support organisations that can also help. The local testing clinic, hospital or the internet should all be places to look for contact details.
Please email me privately if you would like information on how to contact someone to help.
Hi John, when was the last time you and/or your wife were tested? and have you been tested before while you have been together?
Having sex with someone HIV positive does not guarantee transmission. There are a number of factors that affect this risk inc. type of sex, other infections, other illnesses, genetics and even luck.
It is possible your wife has been living with HIV before your marriage and you have been lucky to not become positive yourself. Are you supporting your wife through this? and has she started treatment?
It is good to be aware of your wife’s status. Using condoms while waiting for her viral load to become undetectable will prevent any further risk of transmission until you can rely on U=U.
U=U means that when someone is on treatment with a viral load below 200 it is impossible to pass on HIV. This is explained further here: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Information for your wife about starting treatment can be found here: https://i-base.info/guides/starting
Why my is my wife tested hiv positive and I am tested negative after 1 year and 6 months of marriage.
Hi Lucy, as she tested negative at 8 there is no reason to think she will now be HIV positive. Living together will not expose your daughter to HIV. You are not a risk to her. How often is she having these stomach pains?
Hi there… please help me here..l am hiv positive and l gave birth to a negative baby she tested negative until she was 8 years old..so my question is…is it possible for her to be positive as now she’s 13? because my worry is.. she’s always seek complaining about the stomach pains..so that worries me a lot thinking somehow that may be she contacted my hiv.. please help me..