As the wedding day draws closer, couples are often caught up in a long list of preparations. In the middle of preparing your emotional state, finances, and other practical needs, there is one important health step that is often forgotten, having an HIV test.

Premarital HIV screening not only helps to protect your own health, but also shows responsibility and care for your future spouse.

What Is HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If it is not treated, this infection can progress to AIDS, a condition in which the body’s defenses weaken so much that the immune system can no longer fight infections properly.

With early diagnosis and the right treatment, people living with HIV infection can enjoy long, healthy lives and can even have children who are born HIV-free.

It is also important to know that HIV does not always cause obvious symptoms. A person may carry the virus for years without feeling sick or unwell. That is why the only reliable way to know your HIV status is through an HIV screening blood test.

Benefits of Getting a Premarital HIV Test

There are several reasons why premarital HIV test is strongly recommended, including:

To prevent transmission

HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, exposure to infected blood, and by a vertical transmission, from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. If one partner is living with HIV infection but does not know they have it, the risk of spreading the virus to the other partner is high, especially if condoms are not used  in sexual intercourse and not undergoing treatments.

If both partners know their HIV status from early on, they can agree on more effective steps to prevent transmission. Antiretroviral (ARV) treatments can reduce the viral load to a very low, even undetectable level, which greatly lowers the risk of transmitting HIV to others.

Earlier treatment opportunities

The earlier HIV infection is detected, the better the treatment outcomes. People who start ARV treatments promptly can keep their immune system strong, remain active and productive, and live a life just like other healthy individuals.

Protecting unborn children

For couples who hope to have children, knowing their HIV status is extremely important. With proper medical care, the chance of spreading HIV infection from mother to baby can be reduced to below 1%.

Building trust and openness

Doing an HIV test together reflects honesty and mutual trust in a relationship. This step shows that both partners are committed to building a healthy, transparent, and supportive family life.

What If Your HIV Test Result Is Positive?

Try not to panic. A positive HIV test result does not mean everything is over. HIV infection can now be controlled with daily medication, which is available free of charge at various public healthcare facilities.

If you take your medicines consistently, your viral load can be suppressed to very low levels. This reduces the risk of HIV transmission to your partner, prevents the infection from progressing to AIDS, allows you to have healthy children, and enables you to carry on with your life.

Support from your partner is crucial. Many couples choose to continue with their plans, stay married, and build a happy family after learning their HIV status, because they decide to support one another instead of placing blame.

Having a premarital HIV test is a simple step with a big impact. By knowing your health status early on, you can start a married life together with a sense of safety, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to look after each other’s wellbeing.

If you still have questions about HIV screening or premarital testing, you can consult a doctor through the health consultation service on the Ai Care app, which is available on the App Store and Play Store.

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