Why is HIV testing recommended for all pregnant women?
There are medical therapies available to lower the chance of an HIV-infected pregnant woman passing HIV to her infant before, during or after birth. HIV testing and counseling also provides an opportunity for infected women to find out they are infected and to gain access to medical treatment that may delay HIV disease progression in themselves. • Can I get HIV from someone performing oral sex on me? Yes, it is possible for you to become infected with HIV through receiving oral sex. If your partner has HIV, blood from his or her mouth may enter the urethra, the vagina, the anus or directly into the body, through small cuts or open sores. While no one knows exactly what the degree of risk is, evidence suggests that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex and comparable to deep “French” kissing. • Can I get HIV from getting a tattoo or through body piercing? A risk of HIV transmission does exist if instruments with blood are either not sterilized or disinfected, or
