The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently recommended routinely screening all women ages 19-64 for HIV, regardless of risk factors, unless the patient declines. Targeted screening is recommended for women outside that age group who are at high risk for the disease, ACOG said.

Retesting should be based on an annual review of patient risk factors, such as injection drug use; exchanging sex for money or drugs; STD diagnosis in the past year; more than one sex partner since the last test; or sex partners who inject drugs or are HIV-positive.

In addition, retesting "could be considered even in the absence of risk factors depending on clinical judgment and the patient's wishes because patients may be concerned about their status but not know about or want to disclose risk-taking behavior to their physicians," the ACOG committee on gynecologic practice said.

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