Should people who are HIV+ and have an AIDS diagnosis bring children into the world?

Question

Do you think this is a responsible action?

Answer 1

Of children born to HIV-infected mothers from 1993 through 1996, these states reported 4325 children who had perinatally acquired AIDS (344) or HIV infection but without AIDS (487) or who were uninfected or indeterminate (3494). Since the PHS guidelines were issued in August 1994, 2027 (87%) HIV-infected mothers of children reported in these states had HIV infection diagnosed before or at the child’s birth and 179 (8%) after the child’s birth; the timing of HIV infection diagnosis was unknown for 121 (5%) (Figure 1). For children born from 1994 through 1996, the proportion of HIV-infected mothers who were prescribed prenatal ZDV increased from 24% to 64% (Figure 2). Compared with the expected number of children born to HIV-infected women estimated from the SCBW, as of September 1997, states with HIV surveillance† identified a median of 64% of children born in 1995 compared with a median of 3% in states with AIDS reporting only.

Answer 2

Personally, I don't feel people with HIV or AIDS should bring children into this world. I don't think they should take the chance of a child being infected. That is not a responsible action. It is a very selfish action. Why subject an innocent child thru something so horrific.

Answer 3

Just because someone has HIV does not mean they are dirty there are so many ways of catching it, it also does not mean the baby will contract the disease as it is protected in the womb, it is only during child birth does the risk of HIV transmission increase.
Not all women/men know they have HIV as we live in a 'it won't happen to me' world. Some women may find out once they are pregnant that they are HIV pos, then it is truly up to the individual. People are living longer healthier lives with HIV in the past years, Remember we live in a world of many diseaes and illnesses some are not just physical.

Answer 4

I watched some movie or something where the mom was HIV+ and pregnant. I think it's irresponsible in that the person KNOWS they will die. It's unfair to the child to bring them into the world and then leave them. The same can be said for someone with terminal cancer though. HIV has such a negative stigma- I think it should apply to anyone with a terminal illness. I know we ALL die, but when you KNOW you're going to die and then willingly TRY to have a child...I think it's a bit selfish.

Answer 5

Most people that have HIV/AIDS are not even aware that they are infected until they are already pregnant.Women that are aware they are infected and get pregnant are commonly drug using women.I believe if you didn't know you were infected and became pregnant the child should still have a chance at life especially with medications pregnant aids/hiv infected women can take that actually can protect the baby from the virus.You really shouldn't judge these women unless you are one of them,all of their situations are different.

Answer 6

That is a moral question. No one on here has the RIGHT to answer that with anything more than an opinion.

I can say that I personally would discourage an HIV+ couple from having children - ONLY because of the increased likelihood that one or both parents might not survive the child's youth. Still a personal choice.

Answer 7

it is unfair on the child cos if the know there ill then they know there child will most proberly b ill 2 and will hav limited life expectancy and even if against all odds the child was born free of hiv then it would still b unfair as the parents are likely 2 die younger and may not always b there 2 bring up that child, personally if i had hiv i wouldn't have children because id feel 2 guilty that i had made this innocent little life ill and i wouldn't b able to b there 4 it 4eva

Answer 8

if there was no risk of infection i would say no go a head y shouldnt ppl wif hiv or aids ahv a baby but as it is i would say its selfish u will hav given this child a death sentence b4 its born i wouldnt want to hav a child if i knew wat i had could effect there quality of livin its a tough one because everyone should b able to experience havin children i dont belive its a contagous disease so maybe adoption or fosterin would b the way to go u dont pose the risk of infection but u can experience bein a parent givin an unwanted child a chance for a loving upbringing i am contimplatin this option i can hav kids i hav one already but there are so many wonderful babies and children who are already in the world who need mummys and daddys to love them

Answer 9

As people with a HIV+ diagnosis have different causes of infection, differing lifestyles, and differing prognosis: Your question would probably benefit from clarification into the specific circumstance you are considering...

Once you have clarified you specific situation - You may well benefit from asking yourself the question: Should 'anybody' bring children into the world?

A 10 year PHd study into sociology may lead you to an answer to this question - But it may also, lead you into giving yourself a good slap across the face for asking a question with a biggoted slant..

Think about it...

Answer 10

personally I would not risk falling pregnant if I knew I had either. If I was pregnant and then found out , I would take retro viral drugs to increase the child's chances of being unaffected.

I have known someone ,who found out she had aids ,after falling pregnant and I think it would be difficult to persuade her or many others to have an abortion, as there is that small chance of hope.

ultimately this is a decision that the mother will have to make.