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Summary

  • HIV can damage the immune systems of women, and without treatment causes illness and death.
  • CD4 and viral load tests are the key tests used to monitor HIV in women.
  • HIV-positive women should have regular smear tests.
  • An HIV-positive woman can pass on HIV to her baby, but this can almost always be prevented.
  • Anti-HIV therapy works equally well in women and men.
  • Women taking anti-HIV therapy might be more likely to experience some side-effects.