Infectious Diseases
At your first antenatal appointment you will be offered a blood test for hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis. and rubella. Knowing about these infections can be helpful in protecting the health of you and your baby.
Testing for hepatitis B in pregnancy
Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. You can have this virus but still feel well. If you have hepatitis B you could pass it on to your baby and this could lead to your baby having liver problems in later life. If the test result shows you have the virus a vaccine will be given to your baby. This is very effective in reducing the risks of liver damage.
Testing for HIV in pregnancy
If you have HIV there is a risk you could pass it on to the baby. If your health professionals know you have HIV they can take measures to help prevent this happening. They can also offer treatment that can benefit your health.
It can be distressing and worrying to find out in pregnancy that you have HIV. Your result will be confidential to your health care team and they will ensure you are offered support. You can find support in this situation through the Terence Higgins Trust http://www.tht.org.uk Please also feel able to call the ARC helpline.
Testing for syphilis in pregnancy
Although syphilis is now a rare sexually transmitted disease, it is recommended that you are tested as it can be very harmful to you and your baby. If you are found to have syphilis, you will be given antibiotics which can successfully treat you and your baby.
It can be distressing to find out in pregnancy that you have syphilis. Your result will be confidential to your health care team and they will ensure you are offered support. You can find support in this situation through the fpa (Family Planning Association) http://www.fpa.org.uk Please also feel able to call the ARC helpline.
Testing for rubella immunity in pregnancy
Rubella, or German measles, is a common childhood illness. It is a viral infection and spreads easily from one person to another. If you catch rubella in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, it can cause serious damage to your baby.
If you have had rubella in the past or had a rubella vaccination, you are likely to be immune and so protected against having it again. The blood test will check if you are immune.
If the result shows you are not immune, you will be offered a rubella vaccination at the end of this pregnancy to protect you in any future pregnancies.