For {couples} the place one or each companions are HIV-positive, the dream of getting wholesome kids might sound distant. However because of medical advances, this dream is more and more turning into a actuality.

Relating to HIV transmission, it primarily happens by means of unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mom to baby throughout being pregnant, childbirth, or breastfeeding. 

The virus targets the immune system, weakening the physique’s defenses towards sicknesses. With out remedy, HIV can progress to AIDS, a extreme and life-threatening stage of the virus.

However there’s excellent news! Advances in medical science have paved the best way for HIV-positive {couples} to have kids who’re HIV-negative. 

That is largely because of antiretroviral remedy (ART), a drugs that considerably reduces the virus’s presence within the physique. When taken correctly, ART can decrease the viral load to such minimal ranges that it turns into undetectable, making it almost not possible to transmit HIV to a associate or a baby.

Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at how HIV-positive {couples} can plan for and have HIV-negative kids:

Preconception care

Earlier than making an attempt to conceive, it’s essential for {couples} to seek the advice of with healthcare suppliers who concentrate on HIV. This step ensures each companions are wholesome and the HIV-positive associate’s viral load is undetectable. Medical professionals can present the most secure strategies for conception, lowering the chance of transmission.

Continued use of ART

HIV-positive moms must proceed taking ART all through being pregnant, labor, and supply. Retaining the viral load undetectable throughout these phases reduces the chance of transmitting the virus to the infant to lower than 1%. This type of remedy is likely one of the simplest methods to make sure an HIV-negative standing at start.

Supply choices

Relying on the mom’s well being and viral load, docs may counsel a Cesarean part (C-section) to additional scale back transmission dangers throughout supply. Nonetheless, if the viral load is undetectable, a pure start may nonetheless be thought-about secure.

After start

Newborns may obtain HIV medicine for a number of weeks as an extra precaution. Moreover, moms are typically suggested towards breastfeeding if alternate options like system can be found, as HIV might be transmitted by means of breast milk. If breastfeeding is the one possibility, persevering with ART can considerably scale back the chance of transmission.

With these measures, HIV-positive {couples} have a excessive likelihood of getting wholesome, HIV-negative infants. This progress is a testomony to the strides being made in medical science, providing hope and prospects to households affected by HIV.