Most children who have HIV have been infected by their mothers, in what is known as vertical transmission. This can occur during the pregnancy, birth or while breastfeeding. Knowing the existence of the disease before pregnancy and having adequate controls can prevent this from happening. Let's see how we can do to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to baby.
What is HIV?
Is human immunodeficiency virus. This virus destroys certain cells of the immune system, progressively weakening it. Our immune system protects our body and without that protection the body is more vulnerable to contracting other types of very serious infections.
Today there's no cure But there is medication to improve your quality of life and reduce contagion. Most people who have HIV and go untreated end up dying, which is why screening is so important to be able to treat it.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
They are not the same. The SIDA boat is the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Is he HIV outcome in its most severe phase, when the CD4 cell count (very important cells of the immune system) is extremely low, making it impossible for the body to protect itself from disease and infection. To have AIDS you have to have HIV, but having HIV does not mean you have AIDS.
Having HIV means that you have been exposed to the virus and that you are weakening your immune system without having developed AIDS. A person with HIV can live a long and healthy life with the right medication. This is why screening tests are so important.
How is HIV spread?
HIV is contagious through semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal secretions. That is, it is transmitted through sexual, blood or vertical route (mother-baby). It is not transmitted through saliva or through the air as previously believed, nor is it transmitted through feces, sweat, urine or tears.
It is through these 3 pathways that HIV enters the bloodstream and begins to attack the immune system, specifically the CD4 cells that we saw earlier. It is introduced into them by introducing their genetic material so that they multiply and spread to other cells.
Can you have a healthy baby as a mother with HIV?
If possible. According to the WHO, the percentage of vertical transmission from mothers with HIV to their babies without treatment is 15 to 45%. With adequate antiretroviral treatment, this figure drops to 1-2%.. They also improve the health of both mother and baby and prevent complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
It is recommended in these cases that deliveries are by cesarean section, since natural births put the baby in contact with fluids from the mother that could infect her. Doctors will take the necessary measures so that it does not occur, in addition to the treatment will avoid possible complications. In addition, babies are given anti-HIV medications during their first weeks of life to further reduce the potential risks of exposure to the virus during delivery.
As we have seen in the forms of contagion, breast milk is one of them. That is why in these cases artificial lactation is recommended. If you are looking for a baby, it is best to get tested for HIV. We can have the virus and not have any symptoms, so the only way to know is by testing.
Prevention is vital
Prevention is vital to protect ourselves from HIV. This requires more sexual information on the risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases if condoms are not used, avoiding unwanted pregnancies and treatment for people who have them.
We must lose the fear of take HIV tests. Thanks to them we not only save our lives, but also the lives of many people with whom we are exposed and also to prevent our children from suffering from it, preventing it from spreading.
Because remember ... an early diagnosis can save your life.