Premarital health screening is a series of essential medical tests, especially for couples considering marriage. In certain countries, premarital screening is even a legal requirement before getting married.

Although premarital screening is not mandatory in Indonesia, many couples opt for this test to understand their health history and assess the possibility of being carriers of specific diseases. Among the tests typically included in premarital screening are genetic tests and screenings for infections, including HIV.

Benefits of Getting a Premarital HIV Test

Generally, a premarital HIV testing or screening is aimed at determining whether you or your future spouse have been infected with HIV. HIV is a virus that attacks and destroys crucial immune cells, weakening the body's ability to fight off infections and diseases as more immune cells are damaged.

In the early stages, HIV symptoms can mimic those of the flu, making it easy to overlook. This is why getting an HIV test before marriage is essential, this test can help you know your HIV status, whether positive or negative, especially if you are at higher risk of infection.

HIV can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. The risk of transmission can be minimized by getting an HIV test before marriage.

If an individual is infected with HIV, they will be provided with counseling, education, and treatment to help maintain their health. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can control the virus in the body. For pregnant women with HIV, ongoing treatment can lower the risk of transmitting HIV to the unborn baby or newborn.

Premarital HIV Testing Procedure

There are different types of HIV tests, such as those detecting antigens, antibodies, or viral nucleic acids. HIV testing can be carried out in several ways:

• A blood sample is typically taken from a vein in the arm. This process only takes a few minutes, and you might feel a brief sting or notice some bruising at the site of the blood draw.

• Alternatively, a small blood sample can be taken from a finger using a lancet by a healthcare professional.

• In addition to blood tests, saliva samples may be used to detect the presence of the HIV virus.

The collected blood or saliva samples will be analyzed in a laboratory to determine the person’s HIV status.

Understanding the Results of HIV Test

Negative

A negative result indicates that no HIV infection is detected in the sample provided. It's important to note that there is a "window period," which is the gap between exposure to the virus and the time when the test can detect HIV. This period typically ranges from 23 to 90 days, depending on the type of test.

For antigen/antibody tests using venous blood samples, HIV can be detected anywhere from 18 to 45 days after exposure.

If you're in a high-risk group and receive a negative result but believe you may have been exposed to HIV within the last 90 days, it is advisable to undergo retesting.

Positive

A positive HIV test result means that you are infected with the virus. In this case, it’s crucial to begin treatment, such as antiretroviral therapy (ART), as soon as possible. While ART cannot cure HIV, it can reduce the viral load in the blood to undetectable levels, significantly lowering the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

If your premarital HIV test results come back positive, there’s no need to panic. Have an open discussion with your partner and seek further consultation with a doctor. Early treatment for both you and your partner is essential for your health and the well-being of your future children.

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