HAGERSTOWN, MD- It turned into an international sensation, as news spread about the American baby being cured of HIV. But skepticism has spread with it.
"I'm not sure based on one case at this time that this is a cure for HIV," says Dr. Mohammed Ali, and infectious disease specialist.
The HIV infected mother never had prenatal care. Doctors found out she was HIV positive after the baby was born and lab results showed the baby was also infected with the virus.
"Then they started the medication treatment for the baby within 30 hours after the child birth," says Dr. Ali.
Even though the lab results confirmed the baby had HIV, doctors say it's not unusual to have a false positive, and some doctors even say the baby might have never had HIV.
"One test after the child is born can be positive by false readings so you have to confirm by repeated testings," says Dr. Ali. "That's why you don't jump and start treating new born babies immediately."
Although many around the globe are calling it a 'cure' local experts don't necessarily consider this a breakthrough in medicine.
"It's not a new medication that just came into the market and is curing HIV," says Dr. Ali. "It's more or less the same medication that was started early and kind of prevented the infection."
Although they're glad to hear the baby is HIV free, some doctors are treating it as an isolated case and say more research is needed before calling it an actual 'cure.'
Doctors say prenatal care is crucial during pregnancy. That's when they can detect if the baby needs any kind of special treatment.
"I'm not sure based on one case at this time that this is a cure for HIV," says Dr. Mohammed Ali, and infectious disease specialist.
The HIV infected mother never had prenatal care. Doctors found out she was HIV positive after the baby was born and lab results showed the baby was also infected with the virus.
"Then they started the medication treatment for the baby within 30 hours after the child birth," says Dr. Ali.
Even though the lab results confirmed the baby had HIV, doctors say it's not unusual to have a false positive, and some doctors even say the baby might have never had HIV.
"One test after the child is born can be positive by false readings so you have to confirm by repeated testings," says Dr. Ali. "That's why you don't jump and start treating new born babies immediately."
Although many around the globe are calling it a 'cure' local experts don't necessarily consider this a breakthrough in medicine.
"It's not a new medication that just came into the market and is curing HIV," says Dr. Ali. "It's more or less the same medication that was started early and kind of prevented the infection."
Although they're glad to hear the baby is HIV free, some doctors are treating it as an isolated case and say more research is needed before calling it an actual 'cure.'
Doctors say prenatal care is crucial during pregnancy. That's when they can detect if the baby needs any kind of special treatment.
