HIV Positive and Pregnancy

HIV testing during pregnancy is important because antiviral therapy can improve the mother's health and greatly lower the chance that an HIV-infected pregnant woman will pass HIV to her infant before, during, or after birth. The treatment is most effective for babies when started as early as possible during pregnancy. However, there are still great health's benefits to beginning treatment even during labor or shortly after the baby is born. CDC recommends HIV screening for all pregnant women because risk-based testing (when the health care provider offers an HIV test based on the provider's assessment of the pregnant woman's risk) misses many women who are infected with HIV. CDC does recommend providing information on HIV (either orally or by pamphlet) and, for women with risk factors, referrals to prevention counseling.

Some side effects are appearing to be more common in HIV+ women than men. This may be due to the fact that women have higher levels of certain HIV drugs in their bloodstreams, even though they take the same doses as men. A woman’s smaller body size, metabolism, or hormones may cause the higher levels. For example, with the PI (protease inhibitor) Norvir, women seem to experience more nausea and vomiting but less diarrhea than men. Despite the difference in drug levels and side effects, women seem to benefit as much from HIV therapy as men. No changes in dosing have been recommended for women.

Being an HIV – positive mother to be does not guarantee that your child will be born HIV positive. HIV transmission usually occurs during delivery ,but can also before birth in the mothers womb .If an HIV positive mother receives appropriate care throughout her pregnancy ,including medication to lower the amount of virus in her blood ,HIV may not spread to the child .Without treatments .risk of HIV transmission to the child is higher but with medications taken regularly throughout the pregnancy ,as well as delivery by caesarian section ,the risk of transmission is lowered. dramatically – to about a 1-2%chance of transmission .It is important to note that all children are born with their mothers antibodies, and will therefore test positive on HIV antibody screening tests, regardless of their actual status. These antibodies will usually clear sometime between 6-18 months after birth and viral load testing can be done around 6months to determine the infant’s actual status.

A study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases (NIAID) in Uganda found a highly effective and safe drug for preventing transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her newborn. Independent studies have also confirmed this finding .This is more affordable and practical than any other examined to date .Results from the study show that a single oral dose of the antiretroviral drug nevirapine (NVP)given to an HIV infected woman in labor and another to her baby within 3 days of birth reduces the transmission rate of HIV by half compared with a similar short course of AZT(azidothymidine).In developed countries like the U.S,formula feeding is strongly recommended over breastfeeding for babies of HIV –positive mothers .Whether choosing breastfeeding or formula ,there should be little or no switching between the two as doing so could put the child at a higher risk of contracting HIV, since baby formula can be harsh and weaken the lining of a babies stomach, giving a path for HIV to enter the baby’s bloodstream.

The term Lipdystropy is used to describe a number of body shape changes and metabolic problems that can occur in HIV+ people. While HIV+ men and women both experience body shape changes, women are more likely to experience fat gain in the breasts and stomach. Lipodystrophy can dramatically alter your appearance. If you are concerned about how you look, speak to your doctor before making any changes to your HIV medication schedule that might jeopardize your health. Some of the symptoms of lipodystrophy have been linked with heart disease and strokes, so make sure to go to your doctor regularly and have your triglycerides, blood pressure,cholestrol, monitored. You can also support your body, and especially your heart, with a healthy diet, giving up smoking and regular exercise.

By Johnson Pinto Pinto

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HIV,AIDS,HIV Cure,HIV Treatment,HIV Infection,HIV Dating,HIV Positive,HIV Symptoms. Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com