What’s New in the Guidelines

“The section now describes how the Panel on Treatment of Pregnant Women with HIV Infection and Prevention of Perinatal Transmission (the Panel) evaluates the risks and benefits of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs during pregnancy, develops recommendations about the use of ARV drugs in pregnancy, and collaborates with the Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents to address concerns related to drug safety in pregnancy.”

HIV/AIDS and Pregnancy

“Some pregnant women with HIV/AIDS may not know that they have it. So it is important that all women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant have an HIV test as early as possible. Because most pregnant women with HIV/AIDS and their babies take HIV/AIDS medicines, few babies in the United States get HIV.”

Birth Outcomes for Pregnant Women with HIV Using Tenofovir?Emtricitabine

“Using data from two U.S.-based cohort studies, we compared the risk of adverse birth outcomes among infants with in utero exposure to ZDV?3TC?LPV/r, TDF?FTC?LPV/r, or TDF?FTC with ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r). We evaluated the risk of preterm birth (<37 completed weeks of gestation), very preterm birth (<34 completed weeks), low birth weight (<2500 g), and very low birth weight (<1500 g). Risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated with the use of modified Poisson models to adjust for confounding."

SEXUAL PLEASURE: The forgotten link in sexual and reproductive health and rights

Talking about sex and sexuality can be difficult for both sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service providers and their clients. Discussions are often limited to a problem and solution approach. Taboos around sexuality can make it difficult even for clients and providers to talk about sexual relationships, sexual wellbeing and pleasure in professional contexts. Establishing sexual pleasure as a starting point can provide a broader and positive focus on sexuality and sexual health, helping people to make informed decisions about sexual relationships and avoid risks. Talking about sexual wellbeing, sexual pleasure and sexual rights is beneficial for clients and should be commonplace in service provision.