Pat, Elise and Dawn

Thank you so much for your replies.

Pat, do you know which type of tests are used to test babies of HIV+
mothers?  I'm assuming a PCR at a certain time after birth (how long
after??)  and then an ELISA between 18 - 24 months?  I do understand that
HIV-infected moms don't breastfeed in the US, and that's precisely why I'm
so interested in *when* these babies are usually tested - because this rules
out any possibility of transmission through breastmilk :)

Elise, thanks for giving Christine Maggiore's name.  I "know" this lovely
lady from email discussions a couple of years ago - I think she doesn't
believe in the validity of the tests!  I'm looking for the conventional
medical view, but thanks anyway.  I'm also a member of AnotherLook, and I'm
glad you like our website.  Many of the other members are on holiday, and so
I'm hoping for some specific LACTNET experience in an industrialized country!

All I need to know is the conventional protocols used in hospitals and
doctors offices - when are HIV-exposed babies and adults tested, and by what
method, to rule out HIV infection??

The background:  breastfed babies are usually tested any time (depending on
the study) from 2 weeks to 18 months and on PCR or ELISA.   A "significant"
proportion of transmission is attributed to breastfeeding in the early
postpartum, but it is impossible to determine whether they are already
infected before birth, during birth or during breastfeeding.  So I'm hoping
to learn when formula fed babies are usually tested, and by which method.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC
Harare, Zimbabwe
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