What does "Option B+" mean?
Table of Contents
Option B+ is a health policy designed to support pregnant women living with HIV. It requires that all these women receive lifelong treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART), no matter how healthy they are when they become pregnant. This approach aims to improve the health of mothers and reduce the chance of passing HIV to their babies.
Key Goals
- Early Access to Care: The policy encourages mothers to seek medical help early in their pregnancy.
- Lifelong Treatment: Women start and continue ART, which helps keep the virus under control.
- Preventing Transmission: By treating the mother, the risk of passing HIV to the baby during pregnancy or birth is greatly lowered.
Impact
Studies show that Option B+ has helped more mothers engage in HIV care before they give birth. This means more women are getting the help they need early on. However, there are still challenges, with some women not achieving the viral control needed to ensure their babies remain HIV-free.
Importance of Support
To make the most of Option B+, ongoing support and services are needed. This includes encouraging women to attend prenatal care regularly and providing community-based programs that help mothers stay in treatment. By doing this, we can help improve health outcomes for both mothers and their children.