Many countries have strict rules regarding HIV positive and symptomatic AIDS patients and do not allow entry to their countries, although there is no data which suggests that these restrictions can/have reduced HIV transmission. In general HIV testing is required who wish to study/work abroad or wish to stay for more than 3 months. Some countries do not accept any HIV testing done in the traveler’s home country and border/airport officials have power to send back the traveler if they find any anti-retroviral medication (such as zidovudin) with the traveler. Some countries accept HIV testing report of less than 6 months old. If you are traveling to a particular country, you should get the latest information (because the rules may be changed frequently) on HIV testing requirement from the particular country’s embassy.

You may have some questions and doubts regarding breast milk, such as how long (till how many months of age) a baby should be given breast milk and about “exclusive breast feeding”. Many of these questions and doubts are clarified in this article.

How Human milk is produced?

During pregnancy female body secrete a hormone known as prolactin, which causes stimulation of breast cells to produce milk. The more mother breastfeed the baby the more is the production of milk, which do not depend on the size of the breast. Another hormone ‘oxytocin’ causes contraction of the tiny muscle cells within the breasts and squeezes the milk down the milk ducts towards nipple. These stimulations (contraction of muscles to express milk) take place every time baby is put to the breasts or the baby suckles.