Transmission of HIV from mother to baby in pregnancy

A mother who is HIV-positive or HIV-positive can pass it on to her child and this is known as vertical transmission. Most children who are seropositive have been infected during pregnancy, at birth or during breastfeeding . According to the WHO (World Health Organization), without treatment, the ver

A mother who is HIV-positive or HIV-positive can pass it on to her child and this is known as vertical transmission. Most children who are seropositive have been infected during pregnancy, at birth or during breastfeeding.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), without treatment, the vertical transmission rate of the virus is 15 to 45 percent, and thanks to prevention actions it is possible to reduce up to 5 percent. One of the most important aspects to be able to avoid this contagion is that the pregnant women are made, from the beginning of the pregnancy, the HIV test to rule out the presence of this virus.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

If you are not pregnant yet, you have time to get tested and know if you are a HIV-positive woman. In addition, to know what apregnancy implica implies in these circumstances. If you are already pregnant, you should know whether or not you are HIV-positive because you could avoid transmitting it to your baby.The

HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virusattacks the immune system of people making them more vulnerable to infections, some of which can be fatal. AIDS is the final stage of HIV and not everyone who gets HIV develops AIDS.The good news is that the transmission of the virus from the mother to the baby can be prevented. In the world there is a comprehensive approach to the prevention of this contagion that attempts to reduce, year after year, the rate of vertical transmission of the virus, through different actions:

1 - Prevent infection in women of childbearing age.

Through different campaigns the community is invited to have safe sex to prevent men and women from becoming infected with HIV, preventing its spread. 2 - Avoid unwanted pregnancies in HIV-positive women:

In general, women are invited to know if they are infected to provide them with information, methods of contraception and the treatment they need. 3 - Identification of seropositive pregnant women:

The only way to know is through theHIV test, it does not affect the pregnancy or the fetus, and the pregnant woman must do it since she knows she is pregnant. 4 - Treatment:

If the mother is HIV positive, she will be given antiretroviral drugs that will decrease the concentration of the virus in her body. Although the highest infection rate does not occur during pregnancy, it is important that thepregnant woman seropositive be submitted to antiretroviral treatment because it decreases the risk of infection and greatly improve their health status and that of the fetus, avoiding complications in the pregnancy and childbirth, which could increase the possibility of infection. These medicines and their doses are evaluated so as not to affect the pregnancy or the baby and are sent to the women, under medical supervision. 5 - Childbirth: Some 70 percent of cases of mother-to-child transmission of the virus occur during delivery through contact between the fluids of the mother and the baby. In

natural birth

the baby is exposed to these fluids of the HIV-positive mother, which is why we recommend delivery by cesarean section . This will depend in some cases on the desire of the pregnant woman, her cultural level, the country she inhabits and the complications of pregnancy. For delivery, the medical team should take precautions, provide antiretroviral medication and avoid contact of the baby with the maternal fluids. If the mother is given HIV treatment during pregnancy, the chances of complications during delivery that can lead to infection are reduced.6 - Mother's milk. In developed countries whereis easily replaceablebreast milk

for artificial milk, it is recommended that the HIV-positive mother not feed the baby since breastfeeding is another route of infection. In very poor countries, it is more risky for a baby to die due to complications derived from the lack of protection provided by breast milk, poor water quality and the low quality or lack of milk to replace the mother's milk. In those countries it is suggested to the mother to exclusively breastfeed her baby for 6 months or to prolong even breastfeeding combined with treatment against the HIV virus. If you want more information you should go to the doctor or to the health authorities of your city or country. You should not fear the HIV test because if you quickly know your diagnosis, pregnant or not, you have more chances of getting timely treatment that will result in a better quality of life for you and your baby.

If you are planning to get pregnant it is very important that you know your health status and that includes knowing if you have HIV or not. We must all strive to ensure the right to be born healthy that all children have.