Dear Dr, for a 13 months infant, would an ELISA test be able to detect HIV if its present? Or another more complicated set of test is needed to pick up HIV virus. If they arent infected in the womb instead infected after birth through breastfeeding or needlestick injury, what are the typical ARS symptoms and when normally will the ARS present? Are the ARS similar to adults? And what is the time frame to an AIDS defining disease starts appearing? These questions are important and I pray that you will answer them. Thanks. JANE

HIV antibody tests can be positive for up to 12 months in infants born to HIV positive moms, even if the baby is not truly infected. These children should be seen by specialists who can use more sophisticated tests to determine if HIV infection is present. It is difficult to rule out HIV by symptoms, since babies can have so many different viral infections in the first year. Children can have AIDS defining illnesses in the first year.