HIV and Pregnancy Overview Early detection and treatment are the key to preventing HIV footnote 1footnote 2footnote 3footnote 4
If you do have HIV, your baby could also become infected. The virus is usually passed on during labour and childbirth. Sometimes it's passed during pregnancy. Breastfeeding can also pass the virus to the baby.
Treatment HIV is treated with medicines called antiretrovirals, both during pregnancy and after the birth. This treatment greatly reduces your baby's risk of HIV infection and helps keep you healthy. These medicines prevent the virus from multiplying. When the amount of HIV in the blood is lowered, the immune system
Treatment for HIV during and/or after pregnancy may include:
Antiretroviral treatment for you. Planned caesarean birth if you have a high viral load. A caesarean birth can reduce the risk of the baby getting infected with HIV. Antiretroviral treatment for your baby.
Related Information
References
Citations JAMA , published online June 11, 2019. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.6587. Accessed June 12, 2019 Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings . Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm. Accessed December 12, 2022.Guidelines for Perinatal Care , 8th ed., pp. 502–510. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. Accessed December 22, 2022.Load More Information about HIV and Pregnancy
Credits
Current as of: April 30, 2024
Current as of: April 30, 2024
Public Health Agency of Canada (2012). Human immunodeficiency virus: HIV screening and testing guide. Available online: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/hiv-aids/hiv-screening-testing-guide.html#c1
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, et al. (2019). Screening for HIV infection: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA , published online June 11, 2019. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.6587. Accessed June 12, 2019
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006). Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings . Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm. Accessed December 12, 2022.
American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2017). Human immunodeficiency virus section of Perinatal infections. In Guidelines for Perinatal Care , 8th ed., pp. 502–510. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. Accessed December 22, 2022.
