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Can someone with AIDS breastfeed

A) Yes, with Antiretroviral Medication
B) No, Breastfeeding is Contraindicated
C) Yes, Exclusively Breastfeed
D) Yes, if Viral Load is Low

User Dr Herbie
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Someone with AIDS can potentially breastfeed if their viral load is low due to effective antiretroviral treatment which greatly reduces the risk of HIV transmission to the child. However, it's a meticulous consideration that involves ensuring an undetectable viral load, and in some situations, bottle feeding may be recommended to fully eliminate the risk.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is whether someone with AIDS can breastfeed. There are several considerations in this situation. First, it's imperative to understand that HIV transmission can occur through breast milk. However, with the advent of antiretroviral medication (ART), the dynamics have significantly changed.

Mother-to-child transmission rates can be reduced to about 1 percent if antiretroviral medications are provided to the mother during pregnancy and to the infant after birth. Additionally, the viral load, which is the amount of virus present in the blood, is a key determinant in the decision-making process for breastfeeding. A lower viral load, especially an undetectable one, greatly reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

Therefore, the answer could be 'Yes, if Viral Load is Low'. Nevertheless, other preventative strategies such as bottle feeding instead of breastfeeding altogether eliminate the risk of transmission through breast milk if feasible.

User Max Vynohradov
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