Can You get hiv from breast milk?

Can You Get HIV from Breast Milk?

Breastfeeding is a natural and necessary process for the growth and development of infants. Maternal milk provides essential nutrition, antibodies, and hydration to newborns, serving as a vital source of sustenance for the first years of life. However, with the rise of new technologies and medical advancements, concerns about the transmission of HIV through breast milk have become a pressing issue among healthcare professionals and parents globally.

Direct Answer: Yes, it is possible to get HIV through breast milk.

Historically, breastfeeding has not been a significant mode of HIV transmission. However, with the increasing prevalence of HIV worldwide, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) published guidelines in 2011 emphasizing the importance of promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the optimal health and development of infant.

How is Breast Milk Infected with HIV?

HIV cannot replicate itself in breast tissue, but it can establish a latent infection in CD4+ T cells of the mammary gland

Prevalence of HIV and Breastfeeding

. When an infant is breastfed by an HIV-positive mother, the virus can cross the mucous membranes of the nipple and areola to infect the infant.

Recent studies have shown that women with higher viral loads were more likely to transmit the virus to their infants (Table 1).

Factors influencing HIV transmission through breast milk

Several factors can determine the likelihood of HIV transmission through breast milk:

‣ Viral Load: Higher viral loads (copies/mL) increase transmission risk.
‣ Duration of Breastfeeding: Longer breastfeeding periods increase infection risk.
‣ Infant Age: Earlier breastfeeding initiation increases transmission possibility.
‣ Exclusive Breastfeeding: Non-breastfed infants are also at risk of transmission.

Prevention Strategies

**Option 1: Exclusive Alternative Milk Feeding (EMA)**

.

EMA involves providing infants who are HIV-positive or those whose mothers are HIV-seropositive with ready-to-use or locally pasteurized milk alternatives during the first six months

**Benefit of EMA (Table 2**”

.

| **Benefits of EMA for HIV-Positive Infants** | **Benefits** |
| — | — |
| Reduced risk of HIV transmission | 4-5 times lower |
| Improved chances of survival | 34% lower mortality rate at 18 months |
| Enhanced cognitive development | Improves cognitive function at age 5 |

**Option 2: Antiretroviral Therapy (ARV) for HIV Seropositive Mothers who Breastfeed**

ARVs can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission through breast milk. **(Table 3**).

| **ARV Regimen**: **Protease-Inhibitor-Based** and **Non-Nucleoside Reverse TranscriptaseInhibitor-Based**

**** | **HIV transmission reduction** |
| **Protease-Inhibitor-Based** | >= 95% |
| **Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase- Inhibitor-Based** | >= 90% |

**Conclusion**

Get HIV from breast milk or not? The answer has become more complex with continued research and advancements in mother-infant health. Mothers who are HIV-positive risk transmitting the virus to their infants through breast milk but can significantly reduce this probability by adhering to safe breastfeeding practices, such as exclusive alternative milk feeding in the first six months after birth. Additionally, timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy for maternal HIV infection can also bring down transmission rates.

**Remember:** Breathing, touching, eating, and sharing food aren’t the primary ways someone gets HIV. The HIV virus is primarily spread **through** unprotected sex.

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