Mother to Child Transmission: Facts

Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) is the primary way that children are infected with HIV.

A mother infected with HIV has a 30% risk of passing the infection on to her baby.

The baby can be infected in three ways:

1. While still in the womb
2. During the birth process
3. Via breast milk

Infection occurs mainly during birth and breast feeding.

Boehringer Ingelheim offers its antiretroviral drug VIRAMUNE® free of charge to eligible countries for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1.