HIV antibody testing in the antenatal clinic

Abstract

With the increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence amongst women attending the antenatal clinic in the UK it is essential that women are adequately prepared to make an informed decision about being tested for HIV and to receive the result of such testing. This paper discusses the purpose of testing, the necessity of pre-test counselling, its content and the practical implications of providing it. Guidelines for the content of a pre-test counselling session are outlined with particular reference to issues pertinent to the pregnant woman: vertical transmission, the effect of pregnancy on disease progression, the effect of HIV on pregnancy, the prognosis for an infected child and so on.