Question: Why is testing recommended for pregnant women?
Answer: There are now medical therapies available to lower the chance of an HIV-infected pregnant woman passing HIV to her infant before, during, or after birth. ZDV (zidovudine, also known as AZT or Retrovir) is the only drug which has been proven to reduce perinatal transmission. In 1998, the U.S. Public Health Services released updated recommendations for offering antiretroviral therapy to HIV positive pregnant women.
HIV testing and counseling provides an opportunity for infected women to find out they are infected and to gain access to medical treatment that may help to delay disease progression. For women who are not infected, HIV counseling provides an opportunity to learn important prevention information to reduce the possibility of future exposures.
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