Which medication is recommended to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy?

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the recommended medication to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy. This approach involves the use of a combination of antiretroviral drugs that effectively reduce the viral load in the mother’s blood and bodily fluids. When the viral load is kept at an undetectable level, the risk of transmission during pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding is significantly minimized.

ART is specifically designed to target the HIV virus and suppress its replication, which not only benefits the health of the mother but also ensures that the infant is less likely to be exposed to the virus. This proactive treatment approach during pregnancy has been proven to be crucial in improving outcomes for both the mother and the newborn.

Other options, such as antibiotics, do not address the viral nature of HIV and therefore are not effective in preventing its transmission. Hormonal therapy is not relevant to HIV transmission prevention. Although antiviral therapy might suggest a general class of medication, it is less specific than antiretroviral therapy, which is tailored to target HIV directly. Thus, ART stands out as the essential intervention for this purpose.