[Reporter Ding Weijie/Chiayi Report] HIV (AIDS) carrier "Xiao Mei" (pseudonym) became pregnant after getting married, but she was concerned about whether she could successfully give birth to a healthy baby and whether the HIV virus might be passed to her child. Xiao Mei received Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) from the team at the AIDS Prevention and Treatment Center of Jiage Hospital before and during her pregnancy. This treatment was aimed at controlling the amount of virus in her blood, reducing the risk of vertical transmission from mother to child, and ensuring she could give birth to a healthy baby.

Dr. Hong Dongzhe, director of the Jiage AIDS Prevention and Treatment Center, explained that HIV carriers are individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While they may not show obvious symptoms or become ill, they still carry the risk of transmitting the virus to others. Some carriers, worried about the risk of infection, may choose to remain unmarried or avoid having children. However, with advancements in medicine, HAART can effectively reduce the viral load and lower the chance of transmission. This therapy is covered under health insurance benefits.

Female HIV carriers undergo a three-stage medical care plan: controlling the viral load to undetectable levels before pregnancy, taking antiviral drugs regularly during pregnancy, and choosing the appropriate mode of delivery and preventive treatments based on medical evaluation. They should avoid breastfeeding and take preventive medication for 4 to 6 weeks immediately after birth. This approach follows international guidelines from the World Health Organization. Many developing countries have successfully reduced mother-to-child vertical transmission rates to 2% by adhering to these guidelines.

Wang Peizhong, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Jiage, stated that early pregnancy prenatal check-ups include an HIV test. Abnormal results should be reported for risk assessment. At 14 weeks of pregnancy, Xiao Mei’s HIV viral load in her blood was tested to be <40 copies/ml, indicating a relatively low risk of vertical transmission. Although Xiao Mei initially considered terminating the pregnancy, the medical team proposed a treatment plan to minimize the risk of vertical transmission. Xiao Mei chose to continue the pregnancy, following medical advice. Her condition was managed and stabilized, and she successfully delivered a baby girl via cesarean section at 38 weeks of pregnancy.

Lin Jialing, a pediatrician at Jiage, noted that despite Xiao Mei being an HIV carrier, her HAART treatment kept her viral load below 40 copies/ml. The baby received preventive drug treatment for four weeks immediately after birth and was discharged from the hospital. The community health center provided ongoing care and support, ensuring complete drug adherence, regular check-ups, and vaccinations. After four months of follow-up, it was confirmed that there was no vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child.