HIV AND PREGNANCY
Tanya Smith
From the early days of the community learning about HIV , there have been a lot of questions and misconceptions about HIV . There have also been many advancements in the understanding of HIV and pregnancy . To understand how HIV affects pregnant women and their unborn child , it is important to understand what HIV is and how it can be contracted .
So , what is HIV ? HIV stands for " Human Immunodeficiency Virus ." Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( HIV ) is a virus that damages the immune system over time and is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ( AIDS ). Our immune systems work on our behalf to keep us healthy and fight off infections . Many people with HIV do not know that they have HIV because they feel and appear healthy . They can infect others without even knowing it . While there is no known cure for HIV or AIDS , there are many treatments and trials that provide a better quality of life and , in some cases , extend the lives of those diagnosed with either HIV or AIDS .
Let ' s talk about how you DON ' T get HIV . You don ' t get HIV from touching , hugging , or being around a person with HIV . You can ' t get HIV from bug bites or mosquitos . You can ' t get HIV from kissing unless one of you has an open sore or cut in / outside the mouth . You can ' t get HIV from giving blood . HIV is not transmitted through saliva .
Now , how CAN you contract HIV ? HIV is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids including semen , vaginal secretions and breast milk . Basically , there has to be a way for the HIV virus to exit the infected person and an entry for the HIV virus to enter your body . The three most common ways to contract HIV is through unprotected sexual intercourse , sharing needles , and from mother to infant .
How do I know if I have HIV ? The Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) recommend that women who may become pregnant , or who are pregnant , have an HIV test as soon as possible . If you are already pregnant , you may request an HIV test at any time during your pregnancy , usually at the first prenatal appointment . The earlier , the better to reduce the chance of mother to baby transmission .
Tanya Smith is the Program Manager at Support Circle . Tanya has many years of counseling experience with women facing unplanned pregnancies .
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