Dear Eve,

I was reading one of your articles in the Daily Observer the other day and it sparked my interest. I'm in the same position as Clara. I recently found out I was positive during pregnancy. I seem to be adjusting well but I'm still worried about my baby as I'm still not sure of her status. I was placed on medication and my baby tested negative at birth but I'm still awaiting another result. Clara's story has inspired me as I now have a little more hope that my child will be fine. I was not educated much about this disease but I'm getting there.

Yours,

B

Dear B,

You are doing very well under difficult circumstances. You should continue to follow your doctor's instructions to ensure your baby gets the best care possible. Your doctor would have told you that all infants born to HIV-positive mothers will have acquired HIV antibody while in the womb through the placenta. They will therefore test positive at birth regardless of their own status. These antibodies do not disappear until 12 to 18 months and it is therefore crucial that mothers do the required follow-up.

Jamaica, over the past five years, has acquired state-of-the-art technology which makes it possible to diagnose HIV-exposed infants early. PCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction tests are available to all HIV-exposed infants. These tests detect the genetic material of HIV itself rather than antibodies. The tests can tell the amount of virus that is present in the body. Babies born to HIV-positive mothers will be tested at birth and repeated at six weeks and again after 12 weeks. HIV infection can only be confirmed if these tests are done on different samples.

You mentioned that your baby is over six months old and has so far tested negative. This is great news, but you should continue to follow the guidelines given by your doctor and continue to go in for further testing up to 18 months. Based on the prevention of mother to child infection programme, the success rate for negative transmission is quite high in Jamaica with less than five per cent of HIV-exposed infants becoming infected.

Additionally, as someone who took a long time [four years], and had a difficulty with disclosure issues I applaud you for your courage in disclosing to some members of your family. I hope that they give you the support you need. Continue to educate yourself about the disease because that is one of the best things a HIV-positive person can do for himself or herself.

Double infection query

Dear Eve,

My 'frenz' and I were arguing and we wanted to know if it is possible for one person to contract two diseases/infection at the same time, for example herpes and HIV.

Curious

Dear Curious,

If you had unprotected sex with a HIV-infected person who had herpes it is certainly possible. Herpes is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) that spreads through skin to skin contact. Herpes Simplex is a viral infection caused by two types of viruses, Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 generally causes cold sores or fever blisters on the mouth, while HSV-2 causes sores in the genital areas.

Do remember that other sexually transmitted infections also increase the risk for HIV. Continue the dialogue around sex and sexuality issues with your colleagues and I encourage you to seek further information from your medical practitioner or call the HIV/STI Helpline at 1888-9914444

You can send your questions or comments relating to HIV or related issues to info@eveforlife.org or write to Eve for Life, C/O Jamaica Observer.