Related special report on the World AIDS Day 2004>>>

The 17th World AIDS Day, Set on Dec. 1st, is themed as "Women and AIDS".

HIV-infected pregnant women in Guangzhou are expected to get free medication prevention against mother-child transmission, according to an official document to let it in a practice in the near future.

Some 20 cases of HIV-infected pregnant women and 4 cases of mother-child transmission have been medically confirmed in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, source with a work conference on the city's AIDS prevention and control on Nov. 25.

The first case of HIV-infected pregnant woman in the city was reported in 1998 and the first case of mother-child transmission was found in 2003.

Among the 20 infected pregnant women, six of them have given birth successfully without transmission to their children, another six have given up their pregnancy and the rest 8 of them have given birth without knowing their infection.

Transmission from infected mother to child mainly takes place in the womb or at labor and breastfeeding. Without any prevention, the transmission rate could reach 15% to 50%, according to experts. Some effective prevention measures include taking medicines before giving birth, Caesarean birth and milk breeding.

A survey conducted by Guangdong Federation of Women releases that over 60% of the female HIV carriers caused infection from their husbands. Women are physically 2-4 times easier than men being infected, says Long Qiuxia, director of the Province's Red Cross Office.

To avoid the tragedy, both husbands and wives should take the pre-marriage check before they have sexual activities. Moreover, 100% means of condoms is also recommended to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

Special Notice for Would-be-mothers:
1. Avoid unsafe sexual activities. eg. Pre-marriage sex or out-of-marriage sex
2. Use high-quality condoms correctly
3. Take the pre-marriage check and pregnancy examination
4. Avoid using public closet tools, towels and tubs, etc.
5. Go to see a doctor immediately when having symptoms of any venereal diseases
6. Quick medical treatment when either wife or husband is found infected.

Editor: Catherine

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