What can be done to prevent perinatal transmission of HIV?
Perinatal transmission of HIV can almost always be prevented with proper medical care. Therefore all pregnant women should get tested for HIV and share the test results with their prenatal care provider. If a woman has not received prenatal care she should request a rapid HIV test at delivery. Providing the proper medication to HIV+ mothers and their newborn babies will cut the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby from 25% to 2% or less.
