GenQ - For the not so straight individual

A study conducted by researchers from South Africa has indicated that if a mother breastfeeds their child up to the age of six months, then the likelihood of HIV being transmitted from the mother to her child is reduced significantly.

Researchers involved with the study have said that breastfeeding carries a low transmission risk, but children will have increased protection from diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhoea.

The results indicate that breastfeeding is now the best option for women in the ‘developed world’ to reduce any possibility of contacting HIV; the risk of any HIV diagnosis from mother to child HIV has significantly reduced from over 25% to just 2%.

The World Health Organization says that women who are HIV positive who can afford to use a formula for their children (as well as have facilities such as fire to heat water) should do so.

Breastfeeding also reduces the likelihood of other health issues with breasts such as abscesses and mastitis; women who have these problems can increase the amount of HIV in their breast milk.