Don't all babies born to HIV-infected mothers test positive for the virus?

Yes, they do. It is important to keep in mind what the HIV test is. The test looks for antibodies to HIV; it does not look for the virus itself. Because a fetus is exposed to his or her mother's HIV antibodies, he or she will automatically test "positive" after birth. These antibodies can remain in the baby's body for more than 18 months after he or she is born.

Most hospitals now test babies born to HIV-infected women using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This test can be performed within a few days after delivery and looks for HIV itself in a blood sample collected from the baby. If the test is negative, it should be repeated within a few months after the birth to look for HIV.

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