How Can You Protect Your Unborn Child From HIV Aids?

AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS is very fatal as it invades the immune system itself, unlike any other viral infections. This leaves fighting against any other illnesses such as cancer, pneumonia, and other infections. It may take years before you know they’ve got AIDS. They may never understand until it grows fully, and the signs are obvious unless one receives an exam. 

Up to date, there is no vaccine to avoid or medicine to heal HIV, but it can be controlled to some point when soon detected. Many females believe that if they have AIDS, providing life to children is a long-lost vision. And they believe HIV aids in pregnancy will influence their unborn baby and transfer the infection on to the fetus.

How is it transmitted to the baby?

• If proper precaution is not taken, there is a high likelihood of transmitting HIV from the mother to the fetus, this usually occurs during the last trimester as HIV can pass through the placenta.
• The baby may also be subjected to the blood of the mother and other liquids that have the disease during pregnancy.
• Breast feeding is also a route to transmit your child’s disease as breast milk carries the virus. 

Prevention 

• Women who are pregnant or pregnant should be tested for HIV as quickly as possible. If you have HIV, getting medicines every day is the most important thing you can do, exactly as directed.
• If you are married, talk to your doctor about screening for HIV and how to stop HIV from you and your child. In their third trimester, women should be tested again if they are involved in operations that menace them with HIV.
• Your child will also obtain medicines for four to six weeks after birth to help prevent the growth of an HIV infection.
• Don’t do breast feeding. Even if you take medicine, you can transfer the virus through your breastmilk to your child. So, not breast feeding is the best way to prevent transmitting HIV to your child.
• Make sure that your child gets screened straight after conception for HIV. A doctor or clinic trained in caring for HIV-exposed children should be selected. They’ll inform you what and when follow-up trials your child will need. Talk to your doctor if your child can profit immediately from beginning treatment.

Medications

Hiv/aids treatment during pregnancy has two objectives: 

1) Protecting your own safety and 

2) Preventing your fetus from transmitting HIV. 

Many drug mixes are used to treat an infection with HIV. Drugs against HIV reduce the body’s quantity of HIV. Side effects of HIV medications can be particularly difficult during pregnancy but taking your medicine as guided by your doctor is still essential. Talk about any side effects you have and methods to handle them with your doctor. Even if the test results of the baby are negative for HIV, test it several times with regular intervals to be sure.  Also, continue your medications even after delivery to manage the virus.  

Cheryl Wheeler