This is a picture of an HIV-positive mother and her positive baby in Durban South Africa. In 2000 alone, an estimated 600,000 infants acquired HIV-over 90% of them through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). About 90% of these infections occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV can be transmitted to an infant during pregnancy, labour and delivery or breastfeeding. The risk of transmission varies between 15% and 30% among infants who are not breastfed. Breastfeeding increases the risk of transmission by 10-15%. More about Prevention of mother-to child transmission of HIV can be found at http://www.avert.org/aidsinafrica.htm.

This photo is part of a larger HIV and AIDS picture gallery. For more HIV and AIDS photos visit http://www.avert.org/historyi.htm

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Photo credit: � USAID