HIV In Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

While maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for all expectant mothers, those living with HIV face distinct challenges. HIV management during pregnancy is vital to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby. The risk is alarming: in 2020, around 1,50,000 children contracted HIV through childbirth or breastfeeding, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive care and support. 1 By understanding the challenges that come with HIV in pregnancy, the best possible measures and outcomes can be ensured for mothers and their babies.

In this detailed blog, we will dive deeper into HIV in pregnancy & its effects. But first, it is important to understand the basics.

What Is HIV?  

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, making individuals susceptible to various infections and diseases. 2 If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), leading to severe health complications.3 However, with early detection, proper medical care, and antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV can lead long and healthy lives.4

How Does HIV Spread?

HIV is spread through direct contact with certain body fluids from an infected person. These fluids include: 5 6 7

• Blood
• Breast milk
• Semen or pre-seminal fluid ( fluids released by the penis before & during ejaculation)
• Vaginal fluids
• Rectal fluids

HIV Transmission: What's Not A Risk?

You can't get HIV from: 5 6 7

• Casual contact like shaking hands or hugging someone with HIV
• Touching objects like dishes, toilet seats, or doorknobs that someone with HIV has used
• Insect bites, including mosquitoes and ticks
• Airborne transmission

Remember, HIV transmission requires direct contact with infected body fluids. By understanding how HIV is spread, you can take steps to protect yourself and others.

Symptoms Of HIV In Pregnancy

The symptoms of HIV in pregnancy are similar to those in non-pregnant individuals. However, it is important to note that some HIV-positive pregnant women may not exhibit any symptoms at all. Common signs and symptoms may include 

• Flu-like symptoms: Fever, headache, fatigue, and body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin region
• Skin rashes: Reddish or purplish patches on the skin
• Recurrent infections: Persistent or recurring infections such as thrush (oral yeast infection) or vaginal infections
• Gastrointestinal issues: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or weight loss.

How Can You Protect Yourself From HIV?

Anyone can get HIV, but you can take steps to protect yourself from HIV. 

1. HIV is mainly transmitted by having anal or vaginal sex without a condom. Therefore, always use condoms while getting intimate.
2. Have sex with only one person who doesn’t have other sex partners. So, reducing the number of sexual partners helps.
3. Don’t share needles, syringes, razors or other things that may come in contact with another person’s blood.
4. If you’re at very high risk for HIV, talk to your doctor about a treatment called pre-exposure prophylaxis (also called PrEP).
5. If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV within the last 3 days, call your healthcare provider immediately.
6. Last but not least, knowing your HIV status will come in handy. So, get tested! This decision will help prevent getting or transmitting HIV. 

How To Prevent HIV Transmission To Your Baby?

For an HIV-positive woman, the best way to lower the chances of transmitting the virus to her baby is to stay as healthy as possible. Modern treatments can significantly decrease the risk of HIV transmission from a mother (who seeks adequate treatment) to her baby, with a probability of 2% or less. HIV can be passed from the infected mother to the baby (perinatal transmission) through 

• Placenta
• Contact with amniotic fluid during labour and delivery
• Breastfeeding 

Additionally, the following factors can heighten the risk of transmission: 

• Vitamin A deficiency and malnutrition
• Being infected by STDs
• Smoking and substance abuse
• Labour-related factors

Diagnosis Of HIV In Pregnancy

Screening for HIV during pregnancy is a standard part of prenatal care in many countries. In addition, studies indicate that women living with HIV have a six-fold increased likelihood of developing cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.  Not just that, contracting STDs like chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhoea also increases the chances of being affected by HIV. So, it is important to get tested for STDs to reduce the risk of HIV in pregnancy.

However, the diagnostic process involves the following steps: 

• Initial screening: A blood test is performed during the first prenatal visit to detect HIV antibodies or the presence of the virus itself.
• Confirmatory testing: If the initial screening test is positive, a follow-up test is conducted to confirm the diagnosis. This usually involves a more specific blood test called a Western blot or an HIV RNA test.
• Viral load measurement: After confirmation, the healthcare provider will assess the viral load, which indicates the amount of HIV in the blood. This measurement helps guide the treatment approach.

Treatment of HIV in Pregnancy

Managing HIV in pregnancy involves a comprehensive approach that aims to prevent mother-to-child transmission and promote the overall health of the mother. The following key interventions are typically employed:

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART): Pregnant women with HIV are prescribed ART, a combination of antiretroviral drugs that suppress the virus, reduce the viral load, and help protect the immune system. ART can significantly lower the risk of mother-to-child transmission.
• Preventing transmission during childbirth: Delivering the baby via a planned caesarean section (C-section) before the labour begins can reduce the risk of HIV transmission to the baby. 
• Antiretroviral prophylaxis for the newborn: After birth, newborns are given antiretroviral drugs to further minimise the risk of infection.
• Avoiding breastfeeding: Since HIV can be transmitted through breast milk, HIV-positive mothers are generally advised to avoid breastfeeding. Instead, feeding formula milk provides a safe and effective alternative to breastfeeding.

Are HIV Medicines Safe For You To Use During Pregnancy?

If you're pregnant or trying to conceive, it's essential to discuss the HIV treatment options with your healthcare provider. Fortunately, most HIV medicines are safe to use during pregnancy. However, it's crucial to weigh the benefits and risks of specific medications to determine the best treatment plan for you. 

Are HIV Test Results Private?

HIV testing can be done in two ways: confidential or anonymous.

• Confidential testing requires your name and other personal details. These results go into your medical record, and if you test positive, your information will be reported to local or state health departments. They strip away personal details before sending the data to the CDC. The CDC keeps this information private and does not share it with other organisations, including insurance companies. 
• Anonymous testing allows you to take an HIV test without providing your name. Instead, you will receive a unique number. You can use this number to get your test results. 

Conclusion

HIV during pregnancy is a challenge, but with the right knowledge, care, and medical support, mothers can safeguard their health and give their babies the best possible start in life. Early detection and timely treatment significantly reduce the risk of transmission, ensuring a safer pregnancy journey.

One crucial step toward protection is regular testing. Lifecell's STD Female Test Kit offers a convenient, private, and reliable way to screen for 8 common sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Early awareness empowers timely medical intervention, giving you peace of mind and control over your health.

Your health is your baby’s health—take charge today!