Is it possible for HIV to be transmitted through breast milk?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had an intimate encounter with someone whose HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) status is unknown to me. We had no intercourse, but somehow I swallowed two to three drops of milk since the girl was lactating. She had a year-old child. I read that mother's milk carries HIV. In a panic, I consulted multiple doctors online, and one recommended the tablet Viraday as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).

I started it within 26 hours out of fear. Most of the articles that I had read online say there has never been a case of an adult getting infected like this. But the doctor who recommended this said he had seen cases. I asked another doctor, and he said that I am at negligible risk until and unless I have open wounds in the oral cavity, but out of panic, I started taking the tablets.

It has been four days now. I feel sensations and dizziness. Today I felt palpitations at my back, just below the hand and shoulder joint. Can you let me know whether the medicine is dangerous and if I am at risk of getting HIV?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I would like to share a few facts which are important to conclude - A mother who is lactating with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can transmit HIV to a newborn if the mother has not received sufficient antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and postpartum (post-delivery). Risk of transmission during breastfeeding depends on so many factors: whether HIV therapy is being received, duration of lactation, if on therapy, viral load, and presence of other infections.

Quantity of body secretions exposed is another important factor. The ingested amount, as per the case description, is insufficient for HIV to transmit. Dizziness could be due to the tablet Viraday [600 mg of Efavirenz (EFV), 200 mg of Emtricitabine (FTC), and 300 mg of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)].

Before starting the tablet Viraday, have you undertaken a baseline HIV test for yourself? There are a few side effects with medicine, one of which you mentioned in the form of dizziness. However, serious side effects occur on rare occasions.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I suggest you first get a baseline HIV rapid test. This helps you to know your HIV status prior to exposure. Tests performed at 28 days following exposure would help you know the probable status after exposure, and the confirmatory HIV test is recommended three months after exposure. The efficacy of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is only when taken adequately, as advised, for 28 days. Irregular intake is not advisable. Medicines have few side effects. The majority of these are reversible (revert to preexisting state after stopping). The remaining facts have also been provided in the previous answer.

Thank you.