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How do you counsel HIV patients with an undetectable viral load on breastfeeding?

2 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Infectious Disease · University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Answered on

People who are virally suppressed on ART are at very low risk of transmission to infants through breastfeeding, less than 1%-- however, the rate is not 0, and any infant with HIV is heartbreaking. The risks are particularly high in infants who are transitioning to solid foods (potentially related to...

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Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Infectious Disease · Pacific Inpatient Medical Group
Answered on

I agree with Dr. @Dr. First Last that preventable HIV in a newborn would be tragic. Neither DHHS nor WHO recommend flash heating of pumped milk - but if a woman strongly wants to give her baby breast milk that's what I would advise. Two weeks of feeding colostrum-rich breast milk probably gives a pr...

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