Why should my baby take septrin?
Feb 14, 2010
YOU do not have to give your baby septrin for 18 months because now we do not have to wait until children are 18 months before we do an antibody HIV test to find out if they are infected with the virus or not.
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti
Dear Doctor,
I am HIV-positive and have a two-month-old baby who was delivered by Caesarean section who I am not breastfeeding. However, at the clinic where I get treatment, I have been told to give her septrin syrup for 18 months. The problem is she does not like the syrup. While pregnant, I took the medicine that was prescribed by the doctor and she was given the Nevirapine syrup. Is it necessary for her to be on this medicine for all that period?
Gertrude
Dear Gertrude,
YOU do not have to give your baby septrin for 18 months because now we do not have to wait until children are 18 months before we do an antibody HIV test to find out if they are infected with the virus or not.
Using the DNA PCR method, we can now test children for HIV infection as early as two-three months after birth. However, they should have stopped being exposed to the virus if this is to be authentic; so they should not still be breastfeeding.
The DNA PCR test for children under 18 months can be done at Joint Clinical Research Centre and Mildmay Uganda.
Septrin is given routinely to all children born to HIV-positive mothers because they have been exposed to HIV and may be infected with the virus.
However, if they are tested and found to be HIV-negative and they are not exposed through breastfeeding, then there is no need for them to be on Septrin prophylaxis.
Dear Doctor,
I am HIV-positive and have a two-month-old baby who was delivered by Caesarean section who I am not breastfeeding. However, at the clinic where I get treatment, I have been told to give her septrin syrup for 18 months. The problem is she does not like the syrup. While pregnant, I took the medicine that was prescribed by the doctor and she was given the Nevirapine syrup. Is it necessary for her to be on this medicine for all that period?
Gertrude
Dear Gertrude,
YOU do not have to give your baby septrin for 18 months because now we do not have to wait until children are 18 months before we do an antibody HIV test to find out if they are infected with the virus or not.
Using the DNA PCR method, we can now test children for HIV infection as early as two-three months after birth. However, they should have stopped being exposed to the virus if this is to be authentic; so they should not still be breastfeeding.
The DNA PCR test for children under 18 months can be done at Joint Clinical Research Centre and Mildmay Uganda.
Septrin is given routinely to all children born to HIV-positive mothers because they have been exposed to HIV and may be infected with the virus.
However, if they are tested and found to be HIV-negative and they are not exposed through breastfeeding, then there is no need for them to be on Septrin prophylaxis.