What is Infectious Disease Screening?
💡 Infectious disease screening is a mandatory pre-treatment blood panel covering HIV, Hepatitis B (HBsAg), Hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis (VDRL/RPR). Required for both partners under the ART (Regulation) Act 2021 before any fertility treatment cycle begins in India.
Infectious disease screening is a mandatory pre-treatment blood panel completed by both partners before any fertility treatment in India — including IVF, IUI, and donor cycles. It is a legal requirement under the ART (Regulation) Act 2021 and ICMR ART guidelines.
🇮🇳 India Context: Infectious Disease Screening is widely assessed and treated across major Indian fertility centres including Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
What are the key characteristics of Infectious Disease Screening?
- Mandatory for both partners — male and female — before any ART cycle in India
- Panel: HIV-1 antibody, HIV-2 antibody, HBsAg (Hepatitis B), HCV antibody (Hepatitis C), VDRL or RPR (syphilis)
- Additional tests for donor or surrogacy cycles: HTLV I/II, CMV IgG/IgM, blood group and Rh typing
- Results valid for 6–12 months — must be repeated before each new donor cycle
- Cost: ₹1,500–₹4,000 per person; ₹3,000–₹8,000 per couple at accredited laboratories
- Results available within 24–48 hours at NABL-accredited pathology laboratories
- Positive results do not automatically exclude treatment — specialist multidisciplinary protocols apply
- HIV-positive patients with undetectable viral load proceed with IVF under viral-segregated laboratory conditions
How does Infectious Disease Screening work?
Why does Infectious Disease Screening matter in fertility?
Infectious disease screening protects three parties simultaneously: the patient, the IVF laboratory, and any donor or surrogate involved. Under the ART (Regulation) Act 2021, fertility clinics face regulatory sanctions for initiating treatment without completed screening. HIV-positive, HBsAg-positive, and HCV-positive patients can receive fertility treatment under specialist multidisciplinary management and viral-segregated laboratory conditions. Completing screening at pre-treatment consultation — not at cycle start — prevents delays that force cycle postponements.
What are related terms to Infectious Disease Screening?
Preconception Care
Preconception care refers to the medical evaluation, health optimisation, and li…
Cycle Start
Cycle start is the formal initiation point of a fertility treatment cycle — defi…
Treatment Calendar
A treatment calendar is a personalised day-by-day schedule provided by the ferti…
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) in whi…
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a fertility treatment where washed, concentra…
IVF with Donor Eggs
IVF with Donor Eggs is an assisted reproductive procedure in which eggs from a h…
FAQs about Infectious Disease Screening
What blood tests are required before IVF in India?
Before IVF in India, both partners must complete infectious disease screening: HIV-1 and HIV-2, Hepatitis B (HBsAg), Hepatitis C (HCV antibody), and syphilis (VDRL/RPR). This is mandatory under the ART (Regulation) Act 2021.
Why is infectious disease screening required before fertility treatment?
Infectious disease screening protects the patient, the IVF laboratory, and any donors or surrogates. Under the ART Act 2021, it is a legal requirement before any fertility treatment in India. Positive results require special laboratory protocols.
Can I have IVF if I am HIV positive?
Yes. HIV-positive patients with an undetectable viral load can undergo IVF. Embryos are processed in a dedicated viral-segregated laboratory. Specialist multidisciplinary management is arranged. Disclose status to your clinic immediately.
How much does infectious disease screening cost in India?
The full infectious disease screening panel (HIV, HBsAg, HCV, VDRL) costs ₹1,500–₹4,000 per person and ₹3,000–₹8,000 per couple at most pathology labs and fertility clinics. Results are available within 24–48 hours.
How long is infectious disease screening valid for fertility treatment?
Infectious disease screening results are typically valid for 6–12 months. They must be repeated before each new donor egg cycle, surrogacy arrangement, or if the result validity period has expired before the next treatment cycle begins.
Does my partner also need infectious disease screening for IVF?
Yes. Both partners must complete infectious disease screening before IVF — regardless of who is providing the eggs or sperm. This is a mandatory bilateral requirement under the ART (Regulation) Act 2021 in India.
What happens if infectious disease screening results are positive?
Positive results do not automatically exclude you from treatment. Your clinic will arrange specialist co-management, specific laboratory protocols (viral segregation), and legal compliance steps. Disclose results to your nurse coordinator immediately for safe planning.
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