ABSTRACT
When a known HIV- or hepatitis B-positive woman is in labour, it is important that the staff caring for the woman and her partner are sensitive to the couple’s situation whilst implementing the precautions necessary to minimize the risk of infection to staff. All staff working on the labour ward should familiarize themselves with the infection control policy and ensure that they maintain the standards defined. The use of Caesarean section should be discussed with the mother as the optimal mode of delivery. Even in the presence of prolonged ruptured membranes lower segment Caesarean section will still reduce the risk of vertical transmission. The antiretroviral pack contains a 200 ml bottle of zidovudine syrup 10 mg/ml. Zidovudine syrup should be given to the infant at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight, orally, four times a day. the first dose should be given within 1 h of birth and treatment should be continued for 6 weeks.
