Innovative approach prevents mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission

An innovative approach to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS is being rolled out by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Ministry of Health in the Nhlangano area of southern Swaziland. It will place 2,000 HIV-positive pregnant women on treatment over the next four years, as soon as possible after their diagnosis. So far, more than 200 women have joined the program. The program is called prevention of mother-to-child transmission B+, or PMTCT B+. Swaziland © Yasuhiko Okuno. An HIV-positive breastfeeding patient at home with her second and third children who do not have the virus. “In Swaziland, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women is close to 40 per cent. Without treatment, 25 to 40 per cent of the children born to HIV-positive mothers will also be infected,” explained Dr Serge Kabore, MSF’s medical coordinator in Swaziland. “The aim of this new PMTCT B+ approach is to place all pregnant and breastfeeding women who have the virus on lifelong antiretroviral treatment, whatever their CD4 count. That will prevent mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission, while also keeping the mothers in good health, protecting any future babies they may have and protecting HIV-negative partners.” In other approaches to fighting AIDS, a patient’s CD4 count determines whether he or she should be put on treatment. CD4 cells are a type of blood cell that fights infection. HIV destroys these cells. A patient’s CD4 count indicates the progress of the ...
Source: MSF News - Category: Global & Universal Tags: Swaziland NEWS Frontpage HIV / AIDS Source Type: news