Aids And Pregnency
(sai krishna)
AIDS and Pregnancy
Perinatal means the period right before, and right after, birth. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The words "perinatal HIV" mean that HIV has been passed to the new baby from the mother. In general, babies born to mothers who have HIV have a 25% to 30% chance of being infected with HIV
During pregnancy, the mother's antibodies (part of the immune system that fights germs) are passed on to her baby. So all babies of women with HIV will test positive for HIV antibodies at first. This doesn't mean the baby is infected, though. Babies keep the mother's antibodies until they can make their own, which happens between 6 and 18 months of age.
If the baby isn't infected, he or she will lose the mother's antibodies and start to test negative for HIV sometime between 6 and 18 months of age.
If the baby is infected with HIV, he or she will still lose the mother's antibodies, but the baby will start to make antibodies to HIV. The baby will test positive and continue to test positive for HIV.
Other blood tests, called PCR and viral culture, can also be used to check babies for HIV infection. These tests may be able to tell your doctor if your baby is infected during the first 6 months of age. These tests aren't available at all clinics, however, so ask your doctor if they are available.
Resumos Relacionados
- Hiv-1 Antibody Test (elisa And Western Blot). (senior Health Advisor 2005)
- H.i.v Transmission
- Should You Get An Aids Test?
- Blood Type
- Baby Talk
|
|
