>I also wonder about the false positive rate of the HIV test....

I have an article that suggests that there are some 64 conditions that can
lead to a false positive on an HIV test (I admit at this writing I can't
remember *which* test this is), including pregnancy.  This would seem to
raise some concern about prenatal HIV testing (especially if and where it
might become compulsory) and further impact on breastfeeding.<

Good questions Jeannine.  Keep asking.  Also remember to ask about the
reliability of all the postnatal tests during the early onths, when the baby is
still affected by maternal antibodies.  How reliable are all the transmission
figures (yes, even Coutsoudis's ones I like!!!) in the face of all this
uncertainty????

BTW, there seems to be some correspondance around HIV transmission, with a
response by Coutsoudis in The Lancet this week, but you can only read on-line if
you are a subscriber.  Until I can locate a print copy, I don't know what it
says -- anyone have access????

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK

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