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HIV testing in babies
Your baby will be tested at birth using a PCR viral load test which detects the genetic material that makes up HIV rather than the antibodies that the body produces against it. The test will be repeated after six weeks and again after twelve weeks. The babies of HIV-positive mothers often have their mother’s antibodies to HIV so the antibody test used for adults has no value for young babies in the first 18 months or so of their lives.
Provided your baby is formula-fed there should be no further risk of infection after birth. It is completely safe to kiss, cuddle, change nappies, and otherwise take care of your baby.
Doctors are currently trying to find out more about the risks of mothers passing on HIV to their babies and which are the best ways to stop this happening, so you might be asked to take part in a clinical trial designed to answer these questions. Participation is voluntary, and completely confidential and it will not affect your treatment or care if you say no. To find out more about clinical trials see the booklet Clinical Trials in this series.