Which STDs must be tested at the first prenatal care visit and at delivery?

The correct choice highlights the essential screening practices for sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy. Testing for HIV and syphilis at the first prenatal care visit and at delivery is vital due to the significant health implications they can have for both the mother and the infant.

HIV screening is crucial because early detection and treatment can drastically reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission, improving health outcomes. Antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy can lower viral loads to undetectable levels, which is critical in preventing transmission during childbirth.

Syphilis testing is equally important because the infection can cause severe complications if left untreated, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital syphilis, which can have lifelong effects on the newborn. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine screening for syphilis in all pregnant women, as timely identification and treatment can effectively eliminate the risk of these adverse outcomes.

These screenings are necessary components of comprehensive prenatal care, aimed at ensuring both maternal and infant health. In contrast, the other diseases listed in the options, while relevant to sexual health, do not have the same level of mandate for testing at both the initial visit and at delivery in standard prenatal care guidelines.