$Unique_ID{BRK02039}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is it OK To Nurse a Baby if You Think You Could Have AIDS?}
$Subject{AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome HIV human immunodeficiency
virus HIV infection AIDS test HIV test baby infant nutrition milk nursing
lactation AIDS transmission breast feed feeding breast-feed breast-feeding
nurse nursing}
$Volume{}
$Log{
HIV--Human Immune Deficiency Virus*0001001.scf
Who Gets AIDS*0001002.scf
AIDS Weakens the Immune System*0001003.scf
How to Avoid AIDS*0001006.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is it OK To Nurse a Baby if You Think You Could Have AIDS?


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QUESTION:  I need help very badly, and do not know where to turn.  Could you
please tell me if it is OK to nurse a baby if you think you could have AIDS?
I really need this answer, but please don't put my name in your column.  It
would only add to my misery.

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ANSWER:  I always respect the confidentiality of the questions I get, and
therefore never indicate names or sources of the letters I receive.  I am
going to try to advise you, but you will have to take all the proper steps if
we are going to get to the proper solution.  New babies need the best
nutrition they can get, and that is mother's milk.  That means the mother must
get all the proper care before the baby is born, an essential for the health
of both the mother and baby.  However, since there is a risk of giving the
baby an HIV infection (which causes AIDS) through nursing, current advice is
not to nurse under these circumstances.  Your letter states you "think" you
might have AIDS, which leads me to think that you have not been tested.  So my
advice to you is to be tested for HIV before you make the decision about
nursing.  If you are negative you will be able to nurse unless you are using
drugs, in which case, HIV positive or not, you must refrain from nursing the
baby.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.