HIV :: Pregnancy and AIDS – Facts

A woman infected with HIV

- can lead a normal life

- has the same chances of getting pregnant as a non-infected woman as HIV infection does not lead to inferlity

- however, they should avoid becoming pregnant, as they can pass on the infection to the child

- pregnancy may increase the risk of her actually developing AIDS instead of just carrying the virus

- an infected pregnant woman can pass on HIV virus to her baby during pregnancy or shortly after child birth. such a child may also develop severe illness during his/her first year of life. a majority of these infected babies will not survive until their fifth birthday.

- none of the contraceptives except good quality condom can prevent transmission of HIV from the infected to non-infected persons