Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - November 1, 2009
Dear Doctor,
I am HIV-positive and have been on ARVs for five years. Recently, I delivered a baby but because labour found me upcountry I delivered in the village and my baby could not get post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). I am back in Kampala but it is a week since I delivered. Would my baby still benefit from PEP or it is already too late?
Jane
Dear Jane,
NORMALLY these drugs should be instituted within hours after delivery if they are to be effective, but not after a week like it is the case for you here.
What you should do now is to have your baby tested for HIV infection using the PCR method so that if it is found to be infected, it should be put on ARVs immediately.
The PCR test is now available at places like Mildmay Uganda, JCRC and The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Entebbe. All HIV-positive mothers should have their children tested for HIV within two months after birth so that those who are HIV-positive are started on treatment early instead of waiting for eighteen months to elapse then do antibody tests as was the case in the past.
091101
NV091102
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