SayPro Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

The Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Aquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).  HIV can be transmitted from a mother to her baby, the risk being 25% when no treatment is given. Detecting the HIV antibody in the mother’s blood at any stage of pregnancy, but preferably early on, can help to reduce transmission to less than 2% through antiviral treatment and taking appropriate measures during delivery.

All positive test results indicating a possibility of HIV are confirmed by retesting, using a different test method. The combination of two tests produces high accuracy with minimal risk of false results. HIV antibody tests exceed the performance of most other infectious disease tests in both sensitivity and specificity. Although these tests are very sensitive, there is an interval known as a ‘window period’.

This is the period between the onset of infection with HIV and the appearance of detectable antibodies to the virus. This period is usually less than a month, however, it may be longer for some individuals. It is important that women are aware that despite being given a negative test result, it could be that antibodies are not yet present and therefore the result given could be false. If a woman feels she has been or continues to be at risk of exposure to the virus, further three-monthly testing should be offered throughout pregnancy.