Perinatal HIV Transmission

Course overview

HIV transmission can occur during pregnancy, at birth, or through breastfeeding. HIV screening recommendations for pregnant women and the management of those found HIV infected have evolved since being introduced in the late 1990s and the risk of perinatal HIV transmission has significantly decreased (Shihan et al., 2019). The most effective way to avert perinatal HIV infection is to prevent initial infection in women by encouraging preconception and prenatal HIV counseling, testing, and treatment. In women with known HIV infection, preconception counseling regarding perinatal transmission, appropriate antiretroviral treatment, and continued monitoring of HIV viral load is recommended to prevent perinatal transmission (The Panel, 2021). The goal of this continuing education module is to help nurses advance their understanding of perinatal HIV transmission, prevention factors, and related legal and ethical issues.