HIV Test During Pregnancy: When to Take it & How to Understand Its Results

Pregnancy is one of the most important stages in a woman’s life. Without getting proper medical care, the health of both mother and baby will be in danger, especially if the mother has a life-threatening condition. That’s why most healthcare providers recommend an HIV test along with other prenatal tests (like genetic screening and ultrasound scans). Taking an HIV test might be stressful for some couples, but it is a necessary and important step.

In this article by Raadina Health, we explain when the test should be done and what steps should be taken when the results are positive.

Why Is an HIV Test During Pregnancy So Important?

If the mother has HIV and doesn’t take antiviral medications, the risk of virus transmission is around 15% to 45%. Fortunately, if she gets in-time treatment, this risk is reduced to almost 1% (or even lower). That’s why an HIV test during pregnancy is so important in protecting both mother and baby. In other words, this test helps doctors detect the infection early and prevent its transmission to the baby before it’s too late. If HIV is detected in time, the mother can get specialized treatments before and during the pregnancy. 

When Is the Best Time to Take an HIV Test?

Thanks to modern medicine, couples with HIV can now have healthy children as long as they undergo all the necessary evaluations and treatments. Note that most doctors recommend taking the HIV test before the couple tries to conceive (i.e., when they are still planning to have a baby), especially if they are considering fertility treatments like IVF in Iran or other medical tourism destinations. If the mother finds out she has HIV, she can take antiviral medications to reduce her viral load to an undetectable level. When the virus becomes undetectable in the blood tests, it means the chance of passing HIV to the baby is almost zero. That's why the HIV test before pregnancy is now mandatory in many countries.

How Is an HIV Test Done During Pregnancy?

Generally, there are 3 methods of HIV testing during pregnancy:

• Venous blood test: This is the most common way to test for HIV. A blood sample is taken from the couple and sent to a laboratory, where fourth-generation tests (also known as combo or duo tests) check for both HIV antibodies and the p24 antigen.
• Rapid HIV tests: As its name suggests, this test is taken in urgent situations, like when the mother is in labour. In this test, either saliva or blood is used, and the results are usually out within 20 to 40 minutes.
• DNA or RNA tests: Instead of looking for antibodies, these tests look for the virus itself in the body. These molecular tests are very popular in advanced countries as they have a high level of accuracy.

Read more: Do People with Hepatitis C Need IVF?

When Is the Best Time to Have an HIV Test During Pregnancy?

According to international health standards, the best time for taking an HIV test is during the first trimester. If the specialist diagnoses HIV early, they have enough time to choose the best treatment plan, diet, and medical care.

Note: An HIV test is recommended for all pregnant women, no matter if they have been exposed before or not. Early diagnosis can reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission and prevent further complications.

Should I Take an HIV Test During the Second and Third Trimester?

Of course. The international health organizations recommend repeating the HIV test throughout the pregnancy, even if the first test result was negative. You will be shocked to know that a large number of HIV transmissions happen during the second and third trimesters because the mother becomes infected later in pregnancy. So, most doctors recommend an HIV test:

• During the second trimester, if she had unprotected sex or was in other high-risk situations.
• Between weeks 28 and 32 of pregnancy, i.e., during the third trimester.
• If the mother is exposed to the infection and has not taken the HIV test during the third trimester, the doctor orders a “Rapid Test” before delivery. This test is important because HIV can also be transmitted during delivery.

How to Understand the HIV Test Result During Pregnancy?

Whether an HIV test is done during pregnancy or at any other time, its result can be:

• Positive: It means that HIV or its antibodies have been detected in the blood. A positive result does not necessarily mean the person has AIDS. It only shows that she carries the virus and should be treated as soon as possible.
• False Positive: In some cases, a test might show positive even though the person does not have HIV. This can happen for several reasons, including hormonal changes, immune system reactions, or lab errors. In such cases, the doctor orders another test to confirm the result.
• Negative: A negative result means that no HIV infection was detected in the blood. However, if the test is taken during the "HIV window period" (when the body has not produced antibodies yet), its result is not reliable. If the person was exposed to the infection, they should repeat the test.
• False Negative: This is the most dangerous type of result. It usually happens when a person is infected but takes the test soon after exposure.

Read more: Pregnancy in HIV-Positive Individuals

What Happens If the HIV Test Gets Positive During Pregnancy?

If your HIV test is positive during pregnancy, stay calm and don’t panic. Today, HIV is considered a controllable chronic disease, not a deadly one. In fact, it can be treated with medications, and the risk of passing the virus to the baby can be reduced to less than 1%.

Medication

The first step is usually taking antiretroviral medications to reduce the amount of virus in the mother’s body. Studies have shown that these medications are safe for the baby and don’t affect their health. Note that the mother should take the medications exactly as ordered and have her viral load checked several times during these 40 weeks. Keeping the viral load as low as possible is one of the most important ways to protect the baby. After birth, the infant should also receive preventive medication to reduce the risk of infection.

Delivery

The delivery method depends on the mother's viral load. If it is high, she must undergo a C-section because it’s the safest method. However, if the virus is undetectable in a blood test, vaginal delivery may also be a safe option.

Breastfeeding

Whether the mother can breastfeed depends on her health condition. Based on medical protocols, HIV mothers are not allowed to breastfeed their babies because the virus can be transmitted through the milk, too, unless the virus is completely suppressed with medication.

How Long Does It Take to Get HIV Test Results?

It depends on the type of test you take. The results of “Rapid” tests are usually ready within 20 to 40 minutes, while the results of standard blood tests may take 15 to 20 days to be ready.

When it comes to an HIV test during pregnancy, it’s important to get the results as fast as possible. The sooner HIV is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin, and that's really important in reducing the risk of passing the virus to the baby.

Does a Positive HIV Test Always Mean You Have AIDS?

No. A positive HIV test doesn’t necessarily mean you have AIDS; it simply means that HIV has been detected in your blood. In other words, there is a difference between being infected with HIV and having AIDS. HIV is the virus itself, while AIDS is the advanced stage of the infection, which occurs when the immune system becomes severely weakened. Thanks to modern medicine, many people living with HIV can now have long lives and may never develop AIDS.

It's also important to know that, in rare cases, a positive result can be a false positive. That’s why most doctors recommend repeating the test before making any conclusions.

How Other Women Feel about HIV Tests During Pregnancy

Many women feel anxious or ashamed when they are asked to take an HIV test during pregnancy. That’s completely normal and understandable. Most women even resist taking the test, but when they do, they feel more reassured and relaxed because they can receive appropriate care if needed.

How Do They Take an HIV Test from the Baby?

Babies born to HIV-positive mothers should take multiple HIV tests within:

• The first 48 hours of life,
• Two weeks after birth,
• Between one and two months of age, and
• Between four and six months.

Unfortunately, antibody tests do not work on newborns because maternal antibodies stay in their blood for up to 18 months after birth. Instead, the infection specialists look directly for the virus itself. Molecular tests such as HIV Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are usually used to determine whether a baby has been infected.

A Quick Review

Today, almost all healthcare providers recommend taking HIV tests both before and during pregnancy. If HIV is diagnosed before conception, the risk of HIV transmission to the baby can be reduced to %0. An HIV test during pregnancy is also important, especially if the mother is at high risk. The best time for HIV testing is during the first trimester, although it should be repeated several times until delivery.

Get a free consultation, precise treatment planning, dedicated support, and a personalized medical travel roadmap. Contact the experts at Raadina medical tourism company today.

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FAQs

1)   Can a positive HIV test be wrong?

Sometimes yes. In such cases, the patient should take immunoblot tests (AKA Western Blot tests) to confirm or reject the positive result. 

2)   Can HIV tests give false results during pregnancy?

Yes, although HIV tests are mostly accurate, false results can occur due to laboratory errors, human error, or hormonal and immune system changes during pregnancy.

3)   How long does it take to get HIV test results?

The results of rapid tests are ready within 20 to 40 minutes. Normal blood tests take 2-3 weeks.

4) Is an HIV test painful?

No, this test is performed by taking blood from a vein or a small scratch on the finger, so it only causes minimal discomfort.