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Index 
6.9 Screening and tests 
6.10 Other infections 
6.11 ARVs and baby's health
Glossary 
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ARV anti-retroviral (treatment for HIV).
candida fungus (yeast) infection that affects the mouth and throat, gullet, sinuses, genital organs and – rarely – the brain
CMV cytomegalovirus, a viral infection.
herpes a viral infection of the skin or mucous membranes that causes sores.
HIV human immunodeficiency virus.
opportunistic infection (OI) infection that occurs after your immune system has been damaged by HIV.
PCP pneumocystis jiroveci (new) or pneumocystis carinii (old). A fungal infection that causes pneumonia.
prophylaxis treatment to prevent an illness.
MAI bacterial infection causing fever, weight loss and weakness.
neonatal newborn. First 4 weeks after birth.
TB tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but which can affect other organs.
toxicity harmful effect.
undetectable an amount smaller than the test can measure. For viral load tests, this means below 400 or below 50, depending on the make of test.
viral load measurement of the amount of HIV virus in your body. Viral load is measured in copies/mL.
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Treatment and prophylaxis (prevention) for most opportunistic infections (OIs) during pregnancy is broadly similar to that for non-pregnant adults.
A few drugs used against OIs are not recommended.
Prophylaxis and treatment of PCP, MAI and tuberculosis (TB) infections are recommended if necessary.
Prophylaxis against CMV, candida infections and invasive fungal infections is not routinely recommended because of drug toxicity. But treatment of very serious infections should not be avoided because of pregnancy.
A large number (about 75%) of women with HIV also have genital herpes. HIV-positive mothers are far more likely to experience an outbreak of herpes during labour than negative mothers. Prophylaxis treatment for herpes with acyclovir is often recommended to reduce this risk.
Herpes is very easily transmitted from mother to child. Herpes sores contain high levels of HIV even if HIV viral load is undetectable .
The herpes virus can also be released from the sores during labour. This will put the baby at risk from neonatal herpes and at increased risk of HIV.
Prophylaxis and treatment with acyclovir is safe to use during pregnancy
Index 6.9 Screening and tests 6.10 Other infections 6.11 ARVs and baby's health
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Last updated on Monday 26th November 2007.
