Can I infect my unborn child if I am HIV positive?  Can the virus be transmitted through breast feeding?

Women with HIV can transmit the virus to their foetus.  The use of special drugs, during pregnancy and at birth, can now help to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

In addition, HIV is present in infectious amounts in breast milk so an infected mother can pass the virus to her baby through breastfeeding.  Most HIV+ children in the Caribbean got infected through mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

This can be prevented when an HIV infected mother does not breastfeed her baby and uses other alternate milk recommended by her doctor.

All pregnant women are advised to take a blood test for HIV as early as possible in their pregnancy.  If a pregnant woman is HIV infected, her baby does not have to get HIV.  Ask your doctor or nurse more about pregnancy and HIV prevention.

Back to FAQ list.