Early HIV testing and timely treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission help reduce the risk of children being born with the disease. Even pregnant women can give birth to HIV-free children.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, every year in the Western Pacific region alone, about 1,400 children are infected with HIV. Up to now, HIV infection is no longer an “incurable” disease; pregnant women infected with HIV can still give birth to children who are not infected with HIV. That can only be achieved through simple and readily available interventions such as screening tests, management and preventive treatment for pregnant women.
Pregnant women should be tested for HIV as soon as possible
HIV testing for pregnant women is an important test that helps early detect HIV infection in pregnant women. Early detection of HIV infection can bring many benefits to both mother and child. Benefits of HIV testing for pregnant women include:
Reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child: When pregnant women infected with HIV are treated with early and effective antiretroviral drugs, the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child can be reduced to less than 1%, or even 0%.
Improving the health of pregnant women with HIV: Antiretroviral treatment can help pregnant women with HIV become healthier, reduce the risk of other infections, and increase the likelihood of survival for both mother and child. child.
Reduce the economic burden on families: Treatment with anti-HIV drugs can help reduce treatment costs for both mother and child.
Dr. Cao Thi Thanh Thuy, Ton That Tung Medical Center No. 1, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, said that pregnant women should get tested for HIV as soon as possible, these tests are currently covered by medical insurance. payment.
The Ministry of Health has issued a Circular guiding regulations on HIV testing for pregnant women. Accordingly, pregnant women who do not know their HIV status and agree to be tested for HIV are prescribed HIV testing during routine prenatal checkups or during labor and childbirth according to national guidelines on care services. Reproductive health care for pregnant women by the Ministry of Health. Specifically:
Get your first HIV test as soon as possible.
Second HIV test for cases of high-risk behavior specified in Clause 6, Article 2 of the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention No. 64/2006/QH11 as follows:
- Had high-risk behavior within 3 months before the first HIV test;
- Engaging in high-risk behavior after being tested for HIV for the first time.
HIV testing for pregnant women is performed in almost all provinces, including disadvantaged areas
However, in remote areas, people’s travel is very difficult, and access to HIV testing services is limited. Pregnant mothers in these areas, besides lacking knowledge about HIV/AIDS, are also reluctant to get tested. They fear that HIV test results will affect their lives and that of their families.
Regarding this issue, Dr. Doctor Cao Thi Thanh Thuy advises that pregnant women who want to know their HIV status can go to the nearest medical facility. All public health facilities from the district level to private health facilities can test for HIV.
Dr. Doctor Cao Thi Thanh Thuy added that the Government has now approved Project No. 7, according to which all pregnant women in mountainous and difficult areas will be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and HIV. free tomorrow. Pregnant women in mountainous areas and ethnic minorities can be tested for HIV right at the commune health station. In places where there are no conditions, samples will be sent to the provincial level for testing. This project aims to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis according to the action plan to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis for the period 2018-2030.
Dr. Cao Thi Thanh Thuy said that there are many methods of testing for HIV. The current HIV testing method is serological testing. The nature of this type of test is to detect the presence of anti-HIV antibodies and or HIV antigens in the blood.
“Currently there are two main techniques to detect HIV including: quick, simple test and the second method uses immunolabelling technique ELISA, photochemistry, electrochemiluminescence.
There are also other techniques for HIV testing such as Western blot or P24 antigen detection,” said Dr. Cao Thi Thanh Thuy.
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