AIDS conference:
HIV-positive pregnant women need access to antimalaria
drugs

Yvonne Chaka Chaka, a popular South African singer, pleaded at the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto for improved access to malaria prevention for HIV-positive pregnant women in developing countries. She argued that without antimalaria drugs, HIV-positive pregnant women are much more likely to coinfect their babies with both diseases.

"Having HIV or malaria can be deadly, but having both at the same time is particularly dangerous. If you are pregnant, it can lead to serious complications for the mother as well as increasing the chance that the baby will be born underweight and possibly HIV-positive," said Chaka Chaka. "HIV antenatal services should always include malaria treatment and prevention."

In addition to the risk HIV-positive pregnant women face, recent studies have found that malaria can increase the HIV viral load in HIV-positive people, meaning an increased risk of transmitting HIV while infected with both. (The Advocate)