HIV, which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a retrovirus for which there is currently no cure. Retroviruses embed themselves into the body's genetic material, especially the white blood cells that help fight infections. This means that your body is immunosuppressed and the risk of contracting and infection is increased.
Some doctors routinely test for HIV at the beginning of pregnancy. There is a risk that the virus may be passed to the baby, and it is important if you are HIV positive that you minimize the risk of contracting infections during your pregnancy.
The psychological and emotional consequences of a positive result are considerable. The risk of developing AIDS within four years of contracting HIV is about ten to thirty percent (1 to 3 in 10). Because pregnancy lowers your immune system's ability to fight infections, having a baby may trigger the development of AIDS.
To test for HIV, a blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm. This is then sent to a laboratory to be screened for antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. to the HIV virus. The most common technique used to screen for HIV is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA, screening test.
The test results usually take a couple of weeks to analyze. If HIV antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. are found in the blood, a second ELISA test is performed. Antibodies take six to twelve weeks to develop from the time of infection, and non-HIV antibodies can cause false positives in the ELISA test. The results of this second test will indicate whether a third confirmation test called the Western blot test is performed.
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Instead of detecting antibodies, the Western blot test identifies HIV proteins. By combining the three tests an accurate positive diagnosis can be made and the progression of the disease can be estimated by performing a viral load test, which measures the amount of HIV virus present in the blood.
Testing for the presence of HIV using the ELISA and Western blot tests can be a lengthy procedure, especially if a positive result is detected and other tests have been developed that are more simple and accurate. The Dot-blot-immunobinding assay, or DBIA is a simple rapid screening blood test. It is cost effective and may replace the combination ELISA and Western blot tests.
The radioimmunoprecipitation assay, or RIPA, is used when the results of the Western blot test are in doubt, or there are too few antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. to use an ELISA test. It is very expensive test, like the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, which analyzes the blood for HIV genetic information. It is very effective at detecting the presence of HIV, especially when the level of antibodies is low, but it is limited by its cost. In some areas where there is a high incidence of HIV infection another test, the rapid latex agglutination assay, or RLAA, is a quick and simple test that is cheap to administer.
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Some doctors routinely test for HIV either before conception or during the first prenatal visit. Those who are at risk of contracting the HIV virus, either through sexual contact or the use of contaminated needles also have a higher incidence of unplanned pregnancy and should be tested as soon as their pregnancy is confirmed.
There are few, if any, risks associated with this test.
If you think you have been exposed to HIV you should take an HIV screening test before you conceive or as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.
The results of the ELISA and Western blot tests will be returned from the laboratory and interpreted by your doctor.
During your pregnancy you will need to be especially careful not to expose yourself to illness. Both the HIV virus and pregnancy reduce your ability to fight infection and your doctor will recommend the use of folic acid and iron supplements to prevent help boost your immune system and prevent anemia.
If you tested positive for the HIV virus your doctor will present you with several options for your pregnancy. Depending on the progression of the virus it may be possible to prevent fetal infection by using oral AZT medication. Your doctor will probably recommend delivery by Cesarean section to prevent fetal trauma and minimize the risk of maternal blood contamination.
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