Final answer:
Women who are HIV-positive should not breastfeed their infants because it may transmit the virus to the baby. The correct answer is b) It may transmit the virus to the baby.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recommendation for women who are HIV-positive to avoid breastfeeding is primarily based on the risk of mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV can be present in breast milk, and breastfeeding poses a potential route of transmission to the infant. While breast milk is rich in essential nutrients and provides numerous health benefits, the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding outweighs these benefits in the context of maternal HIV infection. Formula feeding is considered a safer alternative in this situation, as it eliminates the potential exposure to the virus through breast milk.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced the risk of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy and childbirth. However, the risk remains during breastfeeding, and avoiding breastfeeding is a preventive measure recommended to minimize the chance of transmission. Formula feeding, in this case, is not merely about convenience but rather a crucial step in preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child. This recommendation aligns with global efforts to reduce the transmission of HIV and protect the health of infants born to HIV-positive mothers. Therefore, the correct answer is b) It may transmit the virus to the baby.