Hiv testing during pregnancy

My sister in law just found out her first childs father passed away from complications due to aids a week ago. No one knew he had aids but his brother up until he died. Her child with him just turned one. She is also currently pregnant with my brothers child.

I told my brother they both need to get tested but he said that they don't need to because the previous baby was not born with HIV and that women get a HIV test during prenatal care n child birth. They also said that a doctor will not let anyone give birth to a baby with HIV (which I know is not true) And my brother says that since donates plasma he does not need to be tested either.

I thought that women are not always tested for HIV during prenatal care or birth and that just because u have it does not mean it will be passed to ur baby.

Are you tested for HIV during prenatal exams and again when u have your baby? Should they still get an HIV test? How long does it take for HIV to progress Into aids. They are telling me that he got HIV less than a year ago?

2.1k views • 1 upvote • 36 comments

COMMENT (36)

An

Posted at
At the beginning of my pregnancy when they did my blood work they automatically tested me for HIV among other things. 

Mo

Posted at
OBs test for HIV twice during pregnancy; once at the first appointment and then again in the 3rd trimester. If a mother has it and is not medicated, there is a huge chance of passing it to baby. However, the chance decreases if a mother is on the meds. Only problem is I think that you can object to HIV testing. They definitely need to be tested, if for no other reason than to rule it out!

Mo

Monica • Aug 14, 2015
Mine does standardly. I had to sign a form about it and they did it during the first appointment. I think it is highly recommended from ACOG.

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🌊🌊 Venus 🌊🌊 • Aug 14, 2015
they dont always if its not discussed with you then they probably didnt test you for it. im 21 weeks now and was not tested for HIV during my first trimester

Xo

Posted at
You don't just get AIDS you have to be HIV positive for a while ( a long way - even longer with treatment ) My sister had HIV it for 9 years without treatment before complications some people longer. Unless your sister in law's ex had sex with multiple people with HIV and got reinfected multiple times there is no way he got just pass like that in less then a YEAR and there is a very small that you get reinfected anyway.The only way she might not be infected is if his viral load is low like very very low. But that wouldn't make sense if it got so complicated to the point of death on such a short time. So either your brother is lying to you or just fooling himself. In my country you are not forced but it is strongly recommended (since we have such a high rate). And yes it is so true that you can be born from an HIV positive mother and not have it, small chance but very possible.

Xo

Xoli • Aug 14, 2015
Yep!! What usually happens is that you dont know you have HIV until your viral load is so high it become AIDS became then you are very sick and at that stage there is little they can do, that's why it is important to test every once in while.

Ni

Nicky • Aug 14, 2015
I meant hiv a long time ago

Ni

Nicky • Aug 14, 2015
Im guessing he got aids a long time ago and was only diagnosed a year ago and without treatment turned into aids and then you can possibly die 6 months later.

Ni

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They treat hiv tests a bit differently. You have to specifically select to be tested. I checked yes because it was at no additional costs and I was getting all the other pregnancy blood tests at the same time. Also they do not tell you the results over the phone or by letter. And it's not a no news is good news sort of thing either. Your doctor will sit with you and tell you the results in person. Mine was negative.

Ni

Nicky • Aug 14, 2015
We are def tested where im from for hiv every pregnancy.

Ma

Madeline • Aug 14, 2015
Mine was done without me checking anything.

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🌊🌊 Venus 🌊🌊 • Aug 14, 2015
they probably just think well they are taking so much blood then they are gonna test it. i also read that it is selective during prenatal exams.

Je

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I just had my first prenatal visit and they ordered an HIV test for me. It's totally routine. 

As

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My OB automatically included HIV testing as part of my prenatal blood work. I saw every thing that would be tested right there on the script.

K

K • Aug 15, 2015
Same

Ja

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I was tested for Aids with both my children. That checked for the actual virus after it turns to full aids. The HIV test checks for the antibodies. You have to request the HIV test. I was exposed to Aids after my first child I had to get a HIV test ( not the aids Test) every 3 months for a year.

Ky

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If get tested! Better safe then sorry. It can take a while for std's to show up sometimes. Don't know specifics of HIV or aids but it's scary so id just do the quick blood test and know for sure 

Vi

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If they have potentially been exposed they should get tested. I mean, everyone who is sexually active should get tested. 

Re

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HIV might not show up right away. They really do need to get tested. Just to be safe and for the safety of their children.