Finding the way HIV is transmitted to an 18-month-old baby surprised experts?

The incident of 42 people being found to be infected with HIV in Kim Thuong commune (Tan Son, Phu Tho), including an 18-month-old baby infected with HIV despite having normal parents, has caused a stir in public opinion. Experts are also particularly interested in learning about the epidemiology of HIV transmission in this child.

According to a Ministry of Health expert, the latest report he received surprised even him.

The 18-month-old baby was confirmed to have been infected through blood. According to initial information, the baby had contact with 2 people infected with HIV in the AIDS stage without them knowing they had the disease. There was a time when the woman had itchy skin rashes and asked the baby to scratch her.

In addition, the baby also has a close relative who was also found to be infected with HIV.

Meanwhile, during the meeting with people in Kim Thuong commune on the afternoon of August 15, one factor that experts paid close attention to was that people in this area have the habit of feeding rice to children.

An 18-month-old baby infected with HIV while his parents are healthy has experts very concerned about finding the baby's route of transmission. Photo: Tran Thanh

According to experts, the risk of HIV infection is highest in the early stages of infection and the late stages of AIDS, when the concentration of the virus in the blood is extremely high. With a high concentration of the virus, the risk of transmission is even easier, and in a state of not knowing that you are sick, you may have many behaviors in family life without being vigilant.

"A baby with HIV while the parents are not, the baby is definitely infected through blood, possibly through contact with blood, body fluids of an infected person, objects contaminated with the blood of an infected person, or injections of objects contaminated with HIV, it is very difficult to determine where it is in the process of life," said the expert.

According to the investigation, the baby had also been vaccinated at Dr. Th's clinic. However, whether or not there was a connection between the private doctor and the transmission of HIV remains to be investigated, and currently both the police and the health sector are investigating to find the cause.

“The Ministry of Health and Phu Tho province have decided to thoroughly deploy two directions, the police are investigating (currently doing so), to see if there is shared needle use as people say, or if there is another plot. The second direction, regarding medical expertise, is to conduct epidemiological and epidemic research to find out the connection. The Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has been assigned as the focal point,” the expert said.

Regarding the case of 42 people in Kim Thuong commune being infected with HIV, Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh, Deputy Director of the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention, said that it is impossible to blame the 42 cases of HIV infection on doctors. In fact, some people have progressed to AIDS. "It depends on each person, but it takes at least 5-7 years to progress from HIV to AIDS," said Dr. Canh.

Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh said that there is no basis to confirm that the HIV transmission route was caused by Doctor Th. There have been HIV patients here who have progressed to AIDS. Photo: H. Hai

Furthermore, the number of 42 people infected with HIV in Kim Thuong commune is high, but not the highest. In the neighboring commune, there are also 46 infected people. Is it because of sharing medical equipment?

"There is no basis to confirm HIV transmission through medical staff. The authorities are investigating this. However, we must be very careful in accusing a medical staff in a remote area of ​​helping local people get medical treatment," said Mr. Canh.

Currently, Phu Tho has the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS ranked 21/63 with more than 4,300 infected people and more than 1,500 deaths. For Kim Thuong Commune, Tan Son District, the number of infected people in the past time is 42 people, ranked 2nd in the whole district, Minh Dai Commune has 46, My Thuan 36.... In general, this is the commune with the highest number of infections.