Table of Contents

• Section I
• Section II
  

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Interpretation of HIV Test Results

1. HIV antibody testing should be performed according to current recommendations, which includes the use of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to test for antibody to HIV and confirmatory testing with an additional, more specific assay (e.g., Western blot or immunofluorescence assay [IFA]). All assays should be performed and conducted according to manufacturers' instructions and applicable state and federal laboratory guidelines.

2. All patients to be tested for HIV antibodies should be provided with pre- and post-test counseling in compliance with Michigan State HIV Mandatory Counseling and Informed Consent Law (Act 488 of 1988, as amended by Act 200 of 1994, and Act 420 of 1994 Section 5133).

HIV positive test results shall be reported to a local health department within seven days on a form provided by the Michigan Department of Community Health (CDC 50.42A or CDC 50.42B in compliance with HIV Reporting Law (Act 489 of 1988-Section 5114).

3. HIV testing of all women of childbearing age must be voluntary. Written informed consent for testing must be obtained as required by Michigan law. Women who test positive for HIV or who refuse testing should:

a) not be denied prenatal or other health care service,

b) receive assurance that they will not be reported to child protective service agencies, nor lose custody of their children, because of refusal to be tested or because of their HIV status,

c) not be discriminated against in any other way.

4. HIV infection (as indicated by the presence of antibody to HIV) is defined by Michigan law as a repeatedly reactive EIA and a positive confirmatory supplemental test. Women with persistent indeterminate test results should be referred for further definitive antigen based testing (e.g., PCR ). Pregnant women who have repeatedly reactive EIA and indeterminate supplemental tests should be retested immediately for HIV antibody to distinguish between recent seroconversion and a negative test result. Women with a positive test should always be retested to confirm the positive status. Uncertainties regarding HIV infection status should be resolved before final decisions are made concerning pregnancy termination, ZDV therapy, or other interventions.

5. Women who have negative ElAs and those who have repeatedly reactive ElAs, but negative confirmatory tests, should be considered uninfected.

6. Pregnant women with negative tests should receive a full explanation of what a negative test means and include that explanation in the context of the client's risk.

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