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My wife and I adopted a little boy whose birth mother was positive for both HIV and Hepatitis C. Our little boy was born positive for both HIV and hepatitis C. He had been tested in Russia for both of the diseases, and finally about 9 months of age he tested negative for the anti bodies for both. According to our IA doctor as well as our pediatrician, the baby can test positive for the anti bodies until they are 18 months old, without being afflicted with the disease. The antibodies will pass from the birth mother to the child through the placenta, but both doctors said that there was a very good chance that the HIV and Hep C would not pass through the placenta into the child. The anti bodies that he was testing positive for were due to his mother having both diseases.
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if the anti bodies were from the mother, or if they were being produced by the baby because he had either of the diseases.
Since we had recieved 2 tests that showed no anti bodies for each disease, the doctors were as sure as they could be that our little boy had not contracted either of the diseases. But, as far as I know, if the baby is testing positive for the anti bodies, there is no way to tell if the child is positive for the disease, or if he is testing positive for the anti bodies passed on by the mother.
That is what I know from our experience. I am by no means an expert on the issue. Others on this board have also been in a situation with positive tests, and I'm sure they can shed more light on this matter.
I can only say that I am the very proud father of a now 16 month old happy and healthy baby boy.
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