हाउ will you know whether your baby is HIV positive?

How will you know whether your baby is HIV positive?

In most regions of Canada, tests such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which look for virus in the blood, are used as a rapid and very accurate way of finding out the HIV status of your baby. These tests are typically done at birth, 1 to 2 months, and 2 to 4 months of life. With this test it is possible to be fairly certain whether or not your baby has HIV by the age of 2 to 4 months.

What if your baby is positive?

“I would like to know how to care for an HIV positive baby. Even though it scares me sometimes, it would prepare me to adjust my routine so it was all basic and normal.”

“I would have liked to have known how to support my HIV positive child. I wasn’t prepared for the endless blood work and the medication he would have to take while growing up.”

Very few children are now born HIV positive in Canada to mothers who take anti-HIV drugs. But rest assured that most children who are born HIV positive can lead healthy, active lives. Much of their care is the same as for other children. If your child is HIV positive, it will be necessary for you to make decisions about his or her health, as well as your own. This can be stressful and it is important that you build a strong support network that includes knowledgeable healthcare providers and social and community services, as well as emotional and practical support. The resources listed at the end of this booklet can link you to services in your area.