A Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HIV Positive Women and Their Babies After Birth I am an HIV positive pregnant woman, and Terms Used in This Fact Sheet: I am currently on an HIV regimen. Will my Adherence: how closely you follow, or adhere to, your regimen change after I give birth? treatment regimen. This includes taking the correct dose at
Many women who are on an HIV treatment regimen
the correct time as prescribed by your doctor.
during pregnancy decide to stop or change their regimens
Anemia: a condition in which there are too few red blood cells in the blood. Without enough red blood cells, not
after they give birth. You and your doctor should discuss
enough oxygen gets to tissues and organs. Symptoms of
your postpartum treatment options during your anemia include fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
pregnancy or shortly after delivery. Don't stop taking any
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): an
of your medications without consulting your doctor first. agency of the U.S. Federal government that focuses on
Stopping HIV treatment could lead to problems. disease prevention and control, environmental health, andhealth prComplete blood count (CBC): a routine blood test that How will I know if my baby is infected with measures white and red blood cell counts, platelets (cellsinvolved in blood clotting), hematocrit (amount of iron in the
Babies born to HIV positive mothers are tested for HIV
blood), and hemoglobin (an iron-containing substance in
differently than adults. Adults are tested by looking for
red blood cells). Changes in the amounts of each of these mayindicate infection, anemia, or other problems.
antibodies to HIV in their blood. A baby keeps antibodiesfrom its mother, including antibodies to HIV, for many
Mother-to-child transmission: the passage of HIV from an HIV positive mother to her infant. The infant may become
months after birth. Therefore, an antibody test given
infected while in the womb, during labor and delivery, or
before the baby is 18 months old may be positive even if
through breastfeeding. Also known as perinatal transmission.
the baby does NOT have HIV infection. For the first 18
Oral: to be taken by mouth.
months, babies are tested for HIV directly, and not by
P. carinii/jiroveci pneumonia (PCP): a common opportunistic
looking for antibodies to HIV. When babies are more than
infection in which fluid develops in the lungs. It is caused by
18 months old, they no longer have their mother's
the fungus Pneumocystis carinii/jiroveci. PCP is considered
antibodies and can be tested for HIV using the antibody
an AIDS-defining illness by the CDC.Postpartum: the time after giving birth.
Preliminary HIV tests for babies are usually performedat three time points:
antibody test to confirm HIV infection. A positive HIVantibody test given after 18 months of age confirms HIV
• at 1 to 2 months of age• at 3 to 6 months of age
Are there any other tests my baby will
If babies test negative on two of these preliminary tests,they should be given an HIV antibody test between 12-18
receive after birth?
months. Babies who test negative for HIV antibodies at
Babies born to HIV positive mothers should have a
complete blood count (CBC) after birth. They should also be monitored for signs of anemia, which is the main
Babies are considered HIV positive if they test positive
negative side effect caused by the 6-week AZT
on two of these preliminary HIV tests. Babies who test
(Retrovir, or zidovudine) regimen infants should take to
positive for HIV antibodies will need to be retested at 15
reduce the risk of HIV infection. They may also undergo
to 18 months. At 18 months, babies should have an HIV
other routine blood tests and vaccinations for babies.
This information is based on the U.S. Public Health Service's Recommendations for Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in PregnantHIV-Infected Women for Maternal Health and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV
Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV InfectionA Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HIV Positive Women and Their Babies After Birth (continued) Will my baby receive anti-HIV medication? What else should I think about after I give
Yes. It is recommended that all babies born to HIV
positive mothers receive a 6-week course of oral AZT to
The CDC recommends that women not breastfeed in
help prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This
areas where safe drinking water and infant formula are
oral AZT regimen should begin within 6 to 12 hours after
available (such as the United States). This is
your baby is born. Some doctors may recommend that
recommended to avoid transmission of HIV to infants
AZT be given in combination with other anti-HIV
medications. You and your doctor should discuss theoptions to decide which treatment is best for your baby.
Physical and emotional changes during the postpartumperiod, along with the stresses and demands of caring for
In addition to HIV treatment, your baby should also receive
a new baby, can make it difficult to follow your HIV
treatment to prevent P. carinii/jiroveci pneumonia
treatment regimen. Adherence to your regimen is (PCP). The recommended treatment is a combination of
the medications sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.* This
treatment should be started when your baby is 4 to 6
weeks old and the 6-week course of AZT is complete. The
• concerns you may have about your regimen and
treatment should continue until your baby is confirmed to
be HIV negative. If your baby is HIV positive, he or she
• feelings of depression (many women have these
will need to take this treatment indefinitely.
• long-term plans for continuing medical care and HIV
What type of medical follow-up should I consider for my baby and me after I give
For more information about HIV and pregnancy, your
doctor can contact the National HIV TelephoneConsultation Service (Warmline), a service that provides
Seeking the right medical and supportive care services is
health care professionals with HIV information. The
important for you and your baby's health. These services
If you are interested in joining a pregnancy registry that
monitors HIV positive women during their pregnancies
and after giving birth, please visit the Food and Drug
of anti-HIV drugs during pregnancy. HIV positive
Talk to your doctor about these services and any others
pregnant women are therefore encouraged to register with
you may need. He or she should be able to help you locate
the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry at 1– 800 –258– 4263
For more information:
Contact your doctor or an AIDSinfo Health Information
This information is based on the U.S. Public Health Service's
HIV-Infected Women for Maternal Health and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV T
Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection
Investigación Científica sobre Cerveza y Salud González-Gross M, Lebrón MR, Marcos A. Revisión bibliográfica del consumo moderado de la cerveza sobre la salud. Centro de Información Cerveza y Salud. 2000; E 6. Posadas J. Estudio recopilatorio Cerveza y Salud. Centro de Información Cerveza y Salud. 1998; E 1. Villarino AR, Martínez JR, Posadas P. Biblioteca de publicacio
Administration of Routine and Emergency Medication and Introduction Management of student health conditions, including the administration of medication, is a courtesy provided by Gayndah State School consistent with our duty of care to: maximise the participation in school activities of students who require medication or special procedures for managing a health condition; and optimise the hea
A Service of the U.S. Department of
A Service of the U.S. Department of