[HIV infection in women in childbearing age]

Abstract

HIV infected women compromise about half of all people living with HIV worldwide. Since HIV is frequently sexually transmitted it follows that women who are seropositive are likely to acquire other sexually transmitted diseases. The gynecologic infections led enhance HIV replication and increased transmission of virus. The presence of STD in known to increase of both acquiring and transmitting HIV. The risk of MTCT can be reduced to below 1% by interventions that include antiretroviral prophylaxis given to women during pregnancy and labour and to the infant in the first weeks of life.