How do children get infected with HIV?
Most children infected with HIV got the virus from their infected mothers, before or during birth. It is also possible for her to pass the virus to her infant through breast milk. A mother infected with the virus can transmit it to her baby even if she does not have any HIV or AIDS-related symptoms. Studies indicate that approximately 15-25 percent, or 1 out of 4 babies born to mothers infected with HIV will become infected, if no treatment is given. However, studies have shown that women with HIV who take AZT (also known as ZDV) during pregnancy can drop the rate of infection to their babies down to 1 out of 12. Some women with HIV take a combination of drugs, including AZT, for their own medical needs. If they become pregnant, they should discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of continuing these drugs during early pregnancy, and throughout their pregnancy. A few children became infected from blood transfusions before the screening of the blood supply in mid-1985.
