MADURAI: The baby girl – born to a woman who was transfused with HIV-positive blood at the government hospital at Sattur in December last year – tested negative for HIV infection.A top official from the state health department confirmed the test result to TOI. “We generally do testing for HIV six weeks after a baby is born. Similar process was carried out for this girl too and the test results were negative for HIV infection,” the official said. The test result was declared a few days back.The baby was born at the Government Rajaji Hospital on January 17, and on March 4 – when the girl turned 46-days-old – her blood sample was sent to a medical research centre in Chennai to test for HIV infection. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which according to the experts is very accurate, was performed.Officials said that the test would be conducted again when the girl is six-months-old and one-and-a-half-years old.When contacted, the baby’s father said that he was extremely relieved. “Though I’m still distressed about what happened with my wife and concerned about her future, I’m relieved that my daughter tested negative for HIV infection. I hope further tests will show the same result,” he said.He also claimed that both he and his wife were provided jobs by the government at the Anti-Retroviral Therapy centre in Virudhunagar and that he could join the job in a month’s time, while his wife could join as soon as possible.Meanwhile, an official from the Government Rajaji Hospital said that both the mother and daughter are keeping good health and would likely be discharged by Monday.On December 3 last year, the blood donated by a HIV-positive teenager was given to the woman when she was admitted to Sattur government hospital. The teenager donated the blood on November 30, without realising he was HIV-infected. He later committed suicide after learning about his health condition.

Stay updated with all the Chennai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.