HIV Medications Earlier in Pregnancy

HIV Medications Earlier in Pregnancy

Back in 2006, WHO recommended the use of HIV medications starting about the 28th. week of pregnancy. The new recommendations are to start HIV medications at week 14 of pregnancy.

Infant Feeding when Mother is HIV Positive

In some parts of the world, infant feeding options are very limited. The WHO recognizes this and recommends:

• Infants be fed formula which provides them the highest chance of being HIV free.
• If commercial formula and/or clean water is not available, breast feeding should continue until the infant is 12 months old providing the mother is taking HIV medications during the first year of the baby's life.

Keep in mind that these recommendations for breast feeding are more important to the countries in the undeveloped world. Countries like the United States and Great Britain, where commercial formula and clean water is plentiful, typically recommend that HIV-positive women do not breast feed so assure their newborns stay HIV-negative. The United States has its own HIV treatment guidelines that do mimic some aspects of the WHO guidelines.