What is human immunodeficiency virus?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Once HIV is in your body, it attacks the immune system. As the immune system weakens, it is less able to resist disease and infections. AIDS is diagnosed when a person with HIV develops diseases that the immune system normally would fight off, such as pneumonia, certain types of cancer, and harmful infections.
How do you get human immunodeficiency virus?
HIV is passed from one person to another through contact with an infected person’s body fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluid, or blood. This can happen during sex or by sharing needles used to inject illegal drugs. An HIV-positive woman who is pregnant can pass the virus to her fetus during labor. Women with HIV who breastfeed also can pass the virus to their babies.
Who should be tested for human immunodeficiency virus?
HIV testing is a routine part of health care. Women aged 13–64 years should be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. HIV testing also is recommended for women who are pregnant or who are thinking about getting pregnant.
Why should you get tested for human immunodeficiency virus?
Unless you are tested, you may not know you have HIV until you get sick. Knowing your HIV status is critical for your health and the health of others. Early diagnosis and treatment with anti-HIV drugs can help people with HIV stay healthy for a long time and can decrease the chance of passing the virus to others.
Why should pregnant women be tested for human immunodeficiency virus?
If you are pregnant and have HIV, the virus can be passed to your fetus. The good news is that treatment during pregnancy and treating the baby after birth can greatly reduce the chance of this happening. Treatment during pregnancy also can help you stay healthy.
When should pregnant women be tested for human immunodeficiency virus?
If you are pregnant, you will be given a routine test for HIV during your first prenatal visit. If you are at an increased risk of HIV infection, you should be retested in the third trimester of pregnancy. You are at increased risk if you have any of the following risk factors:
- Have had a diagnosis of another sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past year
- Inject drugs or have a sex partner who injects drugs
- Exchange sex for money or drugs
- Have a new sex partner or more than one sex partner during this pregnancy
- Have a sex partner who is HIV positive or at high risk of being HIV positive
Where can you get a test for human immunodeficiency virus?
You can get an HIV test from your obstetrician–gynecologists (ob-gyn) or other health care professional. You also can get an HIV test at special HIV clinics
How does the screening test work?
The recommended HIV screening test looks for the presence of HIV antibodies and a specific HIV antigen called p24 in a sample of your blood. Antibodies are made by the immune system in response to HIV. An antigen is a part of the virus. The test can detect the p24 antigen about 3 weeks after you get HIV. It takes a few days to get the results of this test.
Can you get faster tests?
There also are “rapid” HIV screening tests. With a rapid HIV screening test, results are ready quickly, ideally within 1 hour. Your ob-gyn or other health care professional may offer rapid testing. Rapid tests also may be available at health clinics, local health department testing offices, hospitals, and community centers.
Should you get tested more than once?
Retesting is recommended each year if you have done any of the following since your most recent HIV test:
- Inject (shoot) illegal drugs
- Have a sex partner who injects drugs or has HIV
- Exchange sex for drugs or money
- Have a male sex partner who has had sex with men
- Have more than one sex partner
You can be tested for HIV again at any time, even if you do not have risk factors. If you are older than 64 years and you have risk factors for HIV, yearly retesting is recommended. It also is a good idea for you and your partner to be tested before starting a new sexual relationship.
Are positive test results ever wrong?
A “reactive” or positive screening test result does not necessarily mean you have HIV. No matter what kind of screening test you have, a confirming test must be done if you have a reactive or positive screening test result. Confirming test results take about 2 weeks. If the confirming test result is positive, you have HIV.
What should you do if the confirming test result is positive?
If your HIV test is confirmed and you have the virus, you can pass the virus to others if you have unprotected sex or share needles to inject drugs. A positive test result does not tell you whether you have AIDS or if you will get sick. If you have HIV, you should see a health care professional, even if you do not feel sick.
How is human immunodeficiency virus treated?
Many drug therapies can help people with HIV stay healthy for a long time. The earlier you start treatment, the better for your long-term health. Early treatment also reduces your risk of passing the virus to uninfected sex partners.
How can women avoid passing human immunodeficiency virus to their babies?
Women can take the following steps:
- Take anti-HIV drugs during your pregnancy as prescribed.
- Have a cesarean birth if lab tests show that your level of HIV is high.
- Take anti-HIV drugs during labor and delivery as needed.
- Give an anti-HIV drug to your baby after birth.
- Do not breastfeed.
By following these guidelines, 99% of women with HIV will not pass HIV to their babies.
What if a pregnant woman was not tested for human immunodeficiency virus before labor?
If you were not tested for HIV during pregnancy, you should have a rapid HIV test when you go into labor. If this result is positive, you will need to have a confirming HIV test. While you are waiting for these results, you can receive anti-HIV drugs during labor, and the baby can be given anti-HIV drugs in the first few days after birth.
