“Ob-gyns should routinely screen all women between the ages of 19 and 64 for HIV, regardless of their risk factors”, according to a Committee Opinion, paper issued August 1, 2008 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

“Women represent the fastest growing population of persons infected with HIV in this country, and heterosexual transmission has become a much bigger factor,” according to Denise J. Jamieson, MD, MPH, chair of ACOG’s Committee on Gynecologic Practice. “There are two basic messages for patients: Every woman should know her HIV status, and it’s a simple test.”

Because approximately 25% of all Americans with HIV are unaware of their infected status (with women representing a growing proportion of the infections), the ACOG states that testing is critical for awareness purposes but also to “improve women’s chances of survival, reduce associated illnesses, help them take steps to avoid unintended pregnancy, protect their sexual partners, and reduce the likelihood of mother-to-child transmission should pregnancy occur.”