I live in Central Wisconsin. I am married and we have two daughters. In 1997 I earned my degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In my spare time I study psychology and philosophy.
Gender: Male
Location: Stevens Point, WI
Occupation: Phlebotomy Coordinator (Clinical Laboratory)
Age: 35
Member Since: October 19, 2005
Answers: 118
Last Update: January 24, 2010
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Hi there,
Am not sure whether you will be able to answer this or not.
Am pretty clued up when it comes to health issues but I am NOT a professional.
My 19 year old friend has just found out that she is pregnant (approx 9 weeks) due to the fact that she is completely irresponsible and had unprotected sex with someone.
The pregnancy test was done with a blood sample.
Anyway cut to the chase - she is really worried that she may have caught HIV from this guy (rumour has it that he has the virus and he has mysteriously disappered back to Nigeria when she told him she was pregnant)
The question I'd like to know the answer to is would they been able to detect the virus in her pregnancy blood sample? Would it show whether she had any other STD's?
I know the best thing for her to do is go and be checked out and have a test but despite knowing that her and her babys health is at risk she is too terrified to go. Any suggestions for convincing her?
Thanks in advance for your answer!
Mel (link)
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Your best strategy is to encourage your friend to receive the same routine prenatal care that all pregnant women should receive. At her 16-week checkup she will have routine lab work which includes screenings for various STD's, including HIV antibodies.
However, to answer your question: The same blood sample used for the pregnancy test could be used for the HIV test, if a doctor orders the test within 7 days of when the sample was drawn.
If your friend is concerned about the cost of prenatal care, call your county health and human services department and find out what her options are.
Thank you for your question,
Dr. Chad
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Rating: 5
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That's great thanks. It's not a case of how much it will cost her as we live in the UK so ALL healthcare is free for people that are pregnant.
I'll keep trying to work on her but it's good to know that they'll pick it up anyway if she doesn't pluck up the courage to go for the test.
Thanks for you help.
Mel
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