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HIV in the UK: facts and statisticsHIV is the fastest growing serious health condition in the UK. It's estimated that 70,000 people are living with HIV, a third of whom are undiagnosed. |  |
Mother to baby transmission
Rates of HIV transmission from women to their babies in UK are low, accounting for just 1.6% of those diagnosed with HIV in 2006. Overall there have been just 1,547 cases from the start of the HIV epidemic through to the end of 2006. This is because of early intervention, treatment and care.
Antenatal screening, treatment to block transmission, avoiding breastfeeding, and elective Caesarean delivery have all dramatically reduced the number of new cases diagnosed. Using all these methods, the chances of a woman with HIV having a healthy baby have increased dramatically and are now around 99%.
More information
You can read more about how babies can get HIV from their mothers, and how this risk can be lowered, elsewhere on our website.
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