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California Woman Donated Breast Milk on Social Media Right Before Testing Positive for HIV
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- A California woman tested positive for HIV after donating raw breast milk through informal social media groups, raising concerns about the risks of unregulated milk sharing.
- Despite at least one milk sample testing positive for HIV, none of the identified recipient infants contracted the virus, though the potential for transmission remains a serious risk.
- Health officials faced challenges investigating the case due to limited access and cooperation within private social media groups used for milk sharing.
- The woman was advised to stop breastfeeding after her diagnosis, and her child received postexposure prophylaxis, successfully avoiding infection.
- Experts emphasize that families should obtain donor milk from accredited milk banks that screen donors and pasteurize milk to ensure safety, rather than relying on unregulated social media sources.
