HIV and Postpartum – A Review

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the immune system and weakens an individual's defence against many infections/diseases. Due to this, the individual is more prone to get a major infection. For infected individuals, should check the CD4 cell count. HIV transmission gestation period can occur during the time of pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART) is the only treatment and it endangers transmission from infected mother to child. 1.3 million Women and girls have HIV infection during gestation every year estimated globally. Due to the lack of intervention, the rate of transmission of HIV from a mother living with HIV to her child's perinatal period ranges from 15% to 45%. At the time 2017, India is estimated to have had 22.67(10.92-40.60) thousand HIV-positive women who have given birth. The transmission of infection takes place from one person to another person through the exchange of body fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions. It is also transmitted from a mother to child during the time of the gestational period and the birth of a child. The diagnostic investigations are Antigen/antibody tests; Nucleic acid tests (NATs). The safest and most effective antiretroviral therapy drugs are (DTG+FTC/TAF-dolutegravir and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate). As a healthcare provider should provide adequate information related to how to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child through breast milk, Formula feeding should be prepared properly. HIVinfected mothers can get pasteurized donor breast milk from a milk bank. It can endanger HIV transmission from mother to her child.