The preponderance of AIDS cases in women during their reproductive years demands attention to primary prevention, early recognition, and appropriate interventions. Increases in the epidemic among injection drug users and heterosexually exposed persons have resulted in an increased impact of HIV/AIDS among women and children. It is clear that vertical transmission of HIV can occur early in pregnancy, during labor and delivery, or in the postpartum period. For these reasons, prevention strategies must be comprehensive and include primary prevention and appropriate intervention during pregnancy and in the peripartum and postpartum area. Stringent infection control techniques are imperative during delivery and in the postpartum period, even in the absence of clear data supporting this intervention. Recent data suggest that the cost of treating one adult patient with AIDS is approximately $100,000, making prevention and intervention imperative.
The preponderance of AIDS cases in women during their reproductive years demands attention to primary prevention, early recognition, and appropriate interventions. Increases in the epidemic among injection drug users and heterosexually exposed persons have resulted in an increased impact of HIV/AIDS among women and children. It is clear that vertical transmission of HIV can occur early in pregnancy, during labor and delivery, or in the postpartum period. For these reasons, prevention strategies must be comprehensive and include primary prevention and appropriate intervention during pregnancy and in the peripartum and postpartum area. Stringent infection control techniques are imperative during delivery and in the postpartum period, even in the absence of clear data supporting this intervention. Recent data suggest that the cost of treating one adult patient with AIDS is approximately $100,000, making prevention and intervention imperative.
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