Under NACP (National AIDS Control Programme), a pregnant woman tests HIV-positive at 32 weeks. The most appropriate antiretroviral prophylaxis protocol in India is:
- A Zidovudine monotherapy from 28 weeks
- B Lifelong triple antiretroviral therapy (ART) regardless of CD4 count — Option B+ ✓
- C ART only if CD4 count is below 350 cells/μL
- D Single-dose nevirapine at onset of labour
Correct answer: B. Lifelong triple antiretroviral therapy (ART) regardless of CD4 count — Option B+
Explanation
India follows WHO Option B+ strategy: all HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women are started on lifelong triple ART immediately, regardless of CD4 count or clinical stage, both for maternal health and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). This replaced earlier CD4-threshold approaches and single-dose nevirapine regimens.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.