HIV Transmission Question

Factual Questions
1

Can a mother who is HIV+, whether being treated for that condition at the time or not, give birth to a baby that is not HIV+?

I’m not talking about treating the baby with antivirals immediately after birth to suppress the virus, I mean that the baby is somehow born 100% free of the virus. Or does the fact that the baby was exposed for months to the mother’s blood mean that inevitably it will be born HIV+?

I’m wondering if some babies have strong enough immune systems to counteract their exposure during pregnancy.

2

Looks like even without treatment for the mother there is “only” a 25% chance that HIV would be passed to the fetus. With treatment the odds are much better.

Cite

ETA: It probably has little to do with the baby’s immune system and more to do with how the placenta acts as a sort of barrier between the maternal and fetal blood supplies.

3

According to WHO:

I’ve also seen the figure of 25% cited above. It’s definitely not a sure thing.

4

Good answers. Thanks for the cite.

I wonder why only 25% or so manage to contract it while the vast majority of babies don’t.

5

It’s biology. There’s never any such thing as 100% or 0%.

6

As noted above, the placenta.

The rate is up to 25% from untreated mom to child, with factors increasing the risk including vaginal delivery and breastfeeding. Hepatitis C can be transmitted vertically (mother to child) as well, and a mother with HCV and HIV has a higher risk of transmission.