Dear Counsellor:
My 11-month-old baby is not thriving as she should. She got very sick last month and was tested for HIV, it came back positive. I was not tested when I was pregnant because I refused to get tested, I didn't want to know my HIV status. Now, I am finding it very difficult to believe my baby is living with AIDS. Do you think my baby really has AIDS?
Jody
Dear Jody:
AIDS Affairs is very sorry to hear that your baby is sick. It is hard for me to confirm that your baby is living with AIDS. For a baby to be born infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, the mother of the baby would also be infected. The good news though is that not all babies born to HIV, infected mothers become infected. A positive test result in a child under 15 months old can mean either that:
- the child is infected with HIV or
- the child is not infected with HIV, but has received antibodies against HIV from its mother, in the same way as many other antibodies are transferred during pregnancy.
Because of these two possibilities, it is impossible to tell if a baby is HIV-infected until it is at least 15 months old, when the antibodies from the mother are usually no longer present. This means that your baby must be tested again at 15 months when he/she will be producing its own antibodies. Please follow-up with your doctor and follow all instructions carefully.
My girlfriend tested positive and I did not
Dear Counsellor:
My girlfriend tested HIV positive and I tested HIV negative. The doctor told me that I should do the test again in six months. Why do I have to test again in six months, I don't understand?
Robert
Dear Robert:
The test does not look for HIV directly. Instead, it looks for 'antibodies' that your body makes to try to fight the virus. It can take your body up to six months to make these antibodies. So if you got the virus less than six months ago, the test may not find any antibodies, and you may get a 'negative' result.
However, most people make antibodies within two months after they get infected. The time it takes for your body to make antibodies after infection is called the 'window period'. It is extremely rare for people to take longer than six months to test positive. In the meantime you must use a condom every time you have sex. Please follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Can I catch AIDS from hugging?
Dear Counsellor:
My uncle is infected with AIDS. He is a teacher, he offers to help me with my studies but I am so afraid. I really don't want to be close to someone with AIDS and my uncle especially because he always greets with a hug. What should I do?
Pinkie
Dear Pinkie:
Remember, HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is not spread by casual contact, that is by hugging, holding hands, sharing utensils and household facilities. You can only get HIV by an exchange of body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids and semen, which contain HIV. Do not avoid your uncle, the help he can offer you with your studies is important. Don't allow unnecessary fears to get in your way. On the other hand-being there for your uncle is important. Show him love. A hug will not harm either of you.
Do mosquitoes spread AIDS?
Dear Counsellor:
My 10-year-old daughter asked me if mosquitoes could spread AIDS. I'm not sure what to tell her. Do mosquitoes spread AIDS?
Doreen
Dear Doreen:
Mosquitoes or any other biting insects do not spread HIV infection. Mosquitoes do spread some diseases, such as malaria, but there is no evidence that they spread HIV. If mosquitoes could transmit HIV then many more school-age children and elderly people would be infected. Instead, HIV/AIDS is largely confined to sexually active adults and to young children who acquire the infection from their mothers before, during, or shortly after birth.
For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at 1888-991-4444 or write to AIDS Affairs, c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.
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