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The screening test

Why have the test?

Most pregnant women with HIV do not know they have the infection.  The test is the only way to tell.

If you do have HIV, you can pass the virus on to others, including your unborn baby.  The sooner you know you have HIV, the sooner you can get treatment and support for yourself, your partner and family or whānau and minimise the risk of passing the virus to your baby.

Most women will be found not to have HIV.

How accurate is the test?

The test is very accurate.

However, a very few women may have an  unclear result and may need to have a second blood test. In most cases the second test will give a negative result.

Informed consent

As with your other antenatal tests, it is important that you have enough information to help you decide about having the test.   If you have concerns or want to know more about the HIV test, talk with your GP, midwife or specialist.  You may also want to discuss it with your partner, family or whānau. 

It is your decision whether or not to have the HIV test.