Should I Immediately Stop Breastfeeding?

[onegirl694]

Hi Doctors!

I asked a question on the user forum, but was hoping you could give me some more direct answers. The suggestion there was to contact my OB/GYN or Pediatrician, but it is off hours so I don't want to call.

In December of 2009, I had unprotected intercourse with a 21 year old white male with no known history of drug abuse or bi/homosexual behaviour. We were both college students at the time. I became pregnant from this one time encounter, and was tested for all STD's including HIV, at exactly 9 weeks and two days after the incident. I never really reconsidered HIV,as I was under the care of an OB/GYN for my entire pregnancy who knew I was a single mom to be, etc. A couple of weeks ago I took my daughter for her 12 month bloodwork and they found that she had an elevated lymphocyte count, and attributed it to something viral. Almost immediately I panicked about HIV, and then upon further investigation found out that I had tested outside of the CDC's reccommended 13 week window. I delivered my daughter vaginally, and have been breastfeeding for the past 13 months. Are her and I at risk for HIV? Should I stop breast feeding immediately? I have read you say that 8 weeks plus is conclusive, but I guess I just need personal reassurance as my daughter is my world and I am sick just thinking I could have hurt her. Also, the test was an ICMA test, not ELISA...Would that impact the accuracy of the 9 weeks 2 days results?

Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The CDC's test results are overly conservative. The testing you had ruled out HIV.  A negative test at any time after 8 weeks is conclusive.  Your daughter is certainly not at risk because you do not have HIV.

An elevated lymphocyte concentration is a non-specific finding which only indicates that your daughter has a viral infection of some sort.  It however is not HIV- your tests prove that you do not have it and she therefore could not have gotten it from you.  I hope your daughter will be feeling better soon.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This will be your last answer.  You are worrying needlessly.   False negative tests are very, very rare. EWH

[onegirl694]

I am not sure if I can get this answered on this thread, but I have tried looking for the info online and also asking in the free forums and haven't gotten a response.

I was wondering how common false negative tests are, even outside of the window period. I have seen some places online that say 3:10,000 negatives are false negatives, and was wondering if I need to test one more time, just in case.

I am sorry if this question seems silly. I just want to be sure that I can trust the results. The 3:10,000 figure scared me again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help.  Take care and enjoy parenthood.  EWH

[onegirl694]

Just wanted to update that I tested negative. Thanks for your reassurance and advice!

[onegirl694]

Thanks, so much. I am really hoping I can move on, and put this fear to rest. I appreciate your honesty, and the service that you provide here. I feel the urge to prod you with more questions, but I know I need to take your answers as the truth.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, you have understood my response.  Take care. EWH

[onegirl694]

Dr. Hook,

Thank you for your response and also for you well wishes for my daughter. Just to confirm, it would be absolutely okay to continue breastfeeding, as my 9 weeks test is absolutely conclusive? I just want to make sure that you feel very confident in those results as I wouldn't want to continue doing anything that was potentially dangerous to her health. I realize that is pretty much what you said, I guess I am just searching for additional reassurance.