Congenital HIV

Also known as: Neonatal HIV infection.

What is congenital HIV?

HIV is a potentially dangerous viral infection that can ultimately lead to AIDS if left untreated. When the virus is passed to an unborn fetus by the mother, this is known as congenital HIV.

What causes congenital HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the cause of the illness. It can be passed from a mother to baby while in the uterus, during delivery or while breastfeeding.

What are the symptoms of congenital HIV?

Initially, there are no symptoms to congenital HIV. Over time, the virus attacks the immune system and leads to complications such as:

What are congenital HIV care options?

If a mother is taking HIV treatment during pregnancy, it reduces the risk of passing the virus to the infant. HIV medications can help delay or void the progression to AIDS and help the child live a better and normal life.


Reviewed by: Manuel Rafael Cotilla, MD

This page was last updated on: November 18, 2021 10:27 AM

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