Infections breast milk transmission

HIV spreads by contact with body fluids, and the common modes of infection include sexual intercourse and contaminated needles used for intravenous drug delivery. Previously, therapeutic use of infected blood and infected breast milk for the baby were also modes of transmission but both have declined due to better screening for blood and AIDS education of expectant mothers. The virus is carried in infected CD4+ T cells, macrophages or as free viruses in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and milk. 

Lactation It is not known whether this drug is excreted in breast milk. The CDC advises HIV-infected women not to breastfeed to avoid postnatal transmission of HIV to a child who may not be infected. 

Lactation It is not known whether didanosine is excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from didanosine in nursing infants, instruct mothers to discontinue nursing when taking didanosine this is consistent with the CDC s recommendation that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV infection. 

Sauberan J, Bradley J, Blumer J, SteUwagen L. Transmission of meropenem in breast milk. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2012 31 832-4. 

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