Should I have a resistance test?

Current British pregnancy guidelines recommend a resistance test if you are changing therapy. These guidelines are the same as for a non-pregnant adult. They also recommend a resistance test if you have just been diagnosed and if you are just starting therapy for the first time.

Women stopping HAART should have a resistance test on their first viral load after they stop treatment, ideally within 6 weeks.

Women taking AZT monotherapy should have a resistance test on the viral load sample taken at delivery.

A resistance test is important to determine whether all the drugs in your combination will be active and working (both during pregnancy and in the future). It should be able to tell whether you were infected with resistant virus.

You should check that your doctor has included this test.