Can HIV be transmitted through breastfeeding?

Understanding HIV Transmission Through Breastfeeding
The question of whether HIV can be transmitted through breastfeeding is a critical concern for mothers living with HIV and healthcare providers. The transmission of HIV from mother to child can occur during pregnancy, at birth, or through breastfeeding, with breastfeeding accounting for a significant portion of pediatric HIV infections globally.
Transmission Risks
Research indicates that breastfeeding can indeed increase the risk of HIV transmission from an infected mother to her infant. In fact, it is estimated that breastfeeding contributes to nearly 50% of pediatric HIV infections recorded each year. The risk of transmission is particularly heightened if the mother is newly infected or has a high viral load, as these factors increase the likelihood of the virus being present in breast milk.
Conversely, mothers who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and maintain an undetectable viral load significantly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV through breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its guidelines to reflect that adherence to ART is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission during breastfeeding. This means that mothers who are effectively managing their HIV with ART can breastfeed with a much lower risk of passing the virus to their infants.
Guidelines and Recommendations
Healthcare providers emphasize the importance of evidence-based counseling for HIV-positive mothers regarding infant feeding options. The decision to breastfeed or use formula should be made based on individual circumstances, including the mother’s health, access to healthcare, and the availability of safe alternatives to breast milk. In settings where safe formula feeding is not feasible, breastfeeding may still be recommended under strict medical supervision, particularly if the mother is on effective ART.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding does carry a risk of HIV transmission, this risk can be significantly mitigated through effective treatment and adherence to ART. For mothers living with HIV, it is crucial to engage in informed discussions with healthcare providers to determine the safest feeding practices for their infants. The evolving landscape of HIV treatment continues to provide hope and options for families affected by the virus.

What are the chances of transmitting HIV through breastfeeding?

What we know about the risk of HIV transmission with and without an undetectable viral load. Without treatment, the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding is estimated to be about 15%. Research shows that HIV treatment reduces the chance of transmission through breastfeeding, but it does not eliminate the risk.

Can you pass an infection through breast milk?

Breast milk can occasionally transmit serious viral and bacterial infections to preterm infants. We present three cases of late-onset neonatal sepsis, including one that resulted in death, occurring in preterm infants. The likely source of the microorganisms in all three cases was expressed breast milk.

How can a baby be infected with HIV?

Causes. Most children with HIV get the virus when it passes from an HIV-positive mother to the child. This can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or when breastfeeding. Only blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk have been shown to transmit infection to others.

How long can I breastfeed my baby if I’m HIV positive?

Mothers living with HIV should breastfeed for at least 12 months and may continue breastfeeding for up to 24 months or longer (similar to the general population) while being fully supported for ART adherence (see the WHO Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV …

What happens to the baby if the mother is HIV positive?

If you take HIV medicines throughout pregnancy, labor and birth, and give your baby HIV medicines for 4 to 6 weeks after birth, the risk of passing HIV to your baby can be 1 in 100 (1 percent) or less. If you have HIV that’s not treated, you can pass it to your baby: Before birth through the placenta.

What are the odds of HIV transmission from mother to child?

Globally, an estimated 1.3 million women and girls living with HIV become pregnant each year. In the absence of intervention, the rate of transmission of HIV from a mother living with HIV to her child during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding ranges from 15% to 45%.

What are the new HIV guidelines for breastfeeding?

The CDC consistent statement was that “in the United States, to prevent HIV transmission, it is recommended that mothers living with HIV not breastfeed their infants.”14 In 2023, the DHHS Perinatal HIV Guidelines were revised to include a greater focus on shared decision-making.

What are the early signs of HIV in infants?

Symptoms vary child-to-child depending on age, but may include:

• lymph nodes that remain enlarged for more than three months.
• lack of energy.
• weight loss.
• frequent and long-lasting fevers and sweats.
• persistent or frequent yeast infections (oral or vaginal)
• persistent skin rashes or flaky skin.

How long does it take to show symptoms of HIV in a woman?

Most people infected with HIV experience a short, flu-like illness that occurs 2-6 weeks after infection. After this, HIV may not cause any symptoms for several years. It’s estimated up to 80% of people who are infected with HIV experience this flu-like illness.

How quickly can HIV be transmitted?

Transmission can occur after one exposure. It is important to emphasize that a person could become infected from having unprotected sex once or a person could have unprotected sex many times and not become infected, regardless of how low or high the risk per exposure is.