How to prevent HIV transmitted to infants with HIV positive parents
The transmission of HIV viruses to infants may occur during pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation. The positive mother of HIV, here's how to prevent HIV transmitted to infants.
A total of 90 percent of the transmission in children under the age of 13 occurred at perinatal. A mother with HIV can positively transmit HIV to her baby while pregnant, giving birth, and breastfeeding. However, the good news, several ways can be done to prevent HIV from being transmitted to infants.
The transmission of a mother with HIV to her baby is not absolute. Data from the United Nations agency for HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) from 2009-2015 showed that HIV has decreased by up to 50 percent. This is because the management is precise and done early.
If a mother is HIV positive, some ways can be done to prevent HIV from being transmitted to infants. Here's how.
1. Early detection of HIV
The earlier HIV disease is detected, the success of the treatment will increase. Not only that, HIV early detection can increase the life expectancy of HIV positive and the quality of life.
HIV-consuming antiretroviral drugs (ARVS) routinely can reduce the risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When it is infected with AIDS, the quality and life expectancy of HIV sufferers can drastically decrease.
2. Receiving antiretroviral treatment
Receiving an early ARV treatment and routine is an important key to preventing HIV transmission from mother to infant. Treatment of ARV can be administered before pregnancy, while pregnant, and during lactation.
By consuming ARV, the number of HIV viruses in the body of the mother will be reduced. The total number of viruses will make the body endurance stronger and lower the risk of transmission to the baby, especially when giving birth normally.
No need to fear the treatment of HIV during pregnancy. This is because in general there are no harmful side effects that can disrupt the safety of the fetus and its development.
3. Childbirth through Caesarean section
The recommended method of childbirth for mothers with HIV positive is a cesarean section. Why? If the childbirth is normal, infants will be directly in contact with the mother's blood and other fluids on the street. These conditions can make babies exposed to HIV viruses directly.
Keep in mind, although the mother has been taking ARV medication during pregnancy, the risk of transmission persists. The process of childbirth through cesarean surgery can avoid direct contact with blood or mother bodily fluids. This can reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Despite the risk of HIV transmission from the mother to the lowest infants, which is about 2 percent, but the risk of complications when and after a cesarean section of the mother with HIV is higher. Also, it is possible to take longer intensive care in the hospital.
For the record, a newborn baby will still get HIV treatment for approximately 4-6 weeks to reduce the risk.
4. Things to note during lactation
The World Health Agency (WHO) recommends nursing mothers consume ARVS to reduce the transmission of HIV through breast milk. However, guidelines for breastfeeding or avoiding breastfeeding should be determined by the authorities in their respective health fields.
If breastfeeding is recommended, it is recommended to give your mother breast milk exclusively for 6 months. Furthermore, HIV positive mothers should be breastfeeding for at least 12 months and can be continued for up to 24 months or more while still consuming ARV. Breastfeeding can be discontinued if a safe and nutritious diet in addition to breast milk can be administered to infants.
Measures to make breastfeeding safer. First is the breast-feeding of exclusive mothers — breastfeeding alone without any additions (including water).
The study finds the risk of infection of HIV in infants who are given exclusive breast milk is only 4 percent. On the other hand, this risk can increase by 10 times when babies start to be given solid food, and 1.8 times when also given formula milk.
In the United States (US), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not advocate the delivery of breast milk by HIV-positive mothers. According to the organization, mothers in the US have access to clean water and affordable substitute nutrients.
If the mother chooses not to give breast milk, then the mother should be taught about the provision of good alternative food in the right way. If the mother still chooses to give breast milk, it is advisable to give it breast milk exclusively for 3-4 months only.
It is necessary to prevent the nipple from injury because HIV can be transmitted through the wound. Do not give breast milk with milk formula as it will cause the wound in the intestinal wall, which can cause the virus in breast milk more easily in.
Also, when the baby has begun to consume soft food, it is better not to chew the food and give it to the baby. More secure babies are given food crushed with tools such as a blender or other methods.
Thus how to prevent HIV transmitted to infants for the positive mother of the virus. When HIV is detected and treated as early as possible, the risk of transmission of infants can be significantly reduced by up to 1 percent. Take these precautions to suppress a minimum of possible transmission.