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Why is CDC
recommending that all pregnant women be tested for HIV?
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. (Refer to MMWR January 30, 1998 - Vol.47-RR2)
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. |
