The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
Sign up for free e-mail updates!The Body en Espanol
Home All Topics Ask the Experts What's New Connect Treatment Prevention Living
Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.

Ask the Experts about Women and HIV

 

Scared to breastfeed
Oct 7, 2002

For the newborn HIV screening test taken place in the first few days of life, my newborn tested negative with the Elisa test. I was with someone whose HIV status was unknown during the first trimester of my pregnancy and have not had any risky behavior since. I am nervous about breastfeeding in case my status is HIV+. Does a negative test result for the infant show that I am most likely negative as well? Wouldnt by anitbodies be present in the infant be detected by the Elisa test? Thanks.

Response from Dr. Jackson

A negative test result in the infant for HIV antibody in the first few days of life means that the mother also is negative for HIV antibody and presumably not infected unless there may have been a recent exposure in the last few weeks before the test was performed and antibodies have not yet developed.

BJ



Terms of Use
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.

Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their messages.

Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.

Copyright notice.

global Toolbox

global Toolbox
E-mail this to a friendE-mail this to a friend
GlossaryGlossary