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Warning-sign checks

HIV/AIDS in pregnant women and infants: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help for a pregnant woman or infant with:

    • Severe trouble breathing
    • A seizure
    • Extreme sleepiness, confusion, or difficulty waking
    • Blue, gray, or very pale lips or skin
    • Signs of severe dehydration, such as very few wet diapers
    • A severe allergic reaction with facial swelling or breathing difficulty
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the baby's medical team promptly if an HIV-exposed infant misses medicine, vomits repeated doses, develops persistent fever or diarrhea, feeds poorly, is not gaining weight, or misses a scheduled HIV test.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange prompt, non-emergency medical advice if you are pregnant and have a positive HIV test, have stopped HIV medicine, are repeatedly missing doses, or think you recently had an HIV exposure.

    Early assessment allows treatment or preventive medicine to begin as soon as appropriate.

    Routine medication reviews, viral load tests, prenatal visits, and infant testing are important, but they are not emergencies.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on HIV/AIDS in pregnant women and infants. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.