Pregnancy tests for infections

During pregnancy, tests for infections should be taken immediately after registration at the antenatal clinic.

Any infection is unsafe during pregnancy, especially during periods of exacerbation. It is safer to get tested for infections before conception to be sure that the child's health will not be threatened. Infections that need to be ruled out during pregnancy:

• TORCH infections. Conducting an analysis to detect toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus is mandatory for all expectant mothers.
• Rubella test. If the antibodies during the study confirm a small number of antibodies to the rubella pathogen, then the pregnant woman needs to protect herself as much as possible from contact with potential patients. If the examination was conducted before pregnancy, then you need to get vaccinated against rubella.
• Toxoplasmosis test. Toxoplasmosis is dangerous in times of danger because it can cause fetal malformations and cause miscarriage and stillbirth.
• Analysis for cytomegalovirus. But in case of exacerbation caused by this virus, there is a high probability of miscarriage.
• RW analysis. Analysis to detect antibodies to the syphilis pathogen. The analysis is performed several times throughout pregnancy.
• Analysis for hepatitis B and C.
• Conducting an analysis for sexually transmitted infections - to detect chlamydia, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis. The above diseases can cause miscarriage and the development of fetal deformities.
• HIV test. Conducted for all women registering pregnancy.

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Hepatitis Testing During Pregnancy

A hepatitis test during pregnancy is mandatory; it is performed several times during pregnancy to exclude the possibility of the disease and to take timely measures to prevent infection of the fetus.

A viral hepatitis B test or determination of HB-s antigen in the blood is the most accurate way to confirm the diagnosis. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the mechanism of infection is first established, and then treatment measures are taken. Usually, the test is taken when registering at a women's clinic, but if a woman regularly visits a nail salon or has undergone treatment at a dentist, the test is repeated.

Analysis for viral hepatitis C or determination of AHCV antigen in the blood. This type of disease is the most dangerous, as it mostly occurs in a latent form, and the first signs appear at later stages, when treatment will no longer give results. If the fetus is infected with the hepatitis virus, it can die in utero or a few days after birth. The only method is to vaccinate the baby, but this is effective in only 95% of cases.

A hepatitis test during pregnancy is very important for the health of the mother and fetus, so you should not refuse to have it done and risk the health and life of the future child.

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HIV testing during pregnancy

Every expectant mother should take an HIV test during pregnancy upon registration at the antenatal clinic, then again after 3 months. Before taking the test, it is better not to have breakfast, and eat light foods for dinner. The immunodeficiency virus is a very dangerous disease, transmitted mainly sexually and through blood, biological fluids. The virus depletes the immune system and makes it defenseless against any infections. Even if a woman took an AIDS, HIV test shortly before pregnancy, it must be taken again - often at an early stage of infection, the serological reaction does not give a positive result, and refusing the test and risking the life and health of the future child, and your own life is unreasonably stupid.

If the test result is positive, an individual pregnancy management plan and treatment prescribed by an infectious disease specialist are undertaken. This will allow the child not to become infected in utero, in addition, if HIV infection is effectively treated, you can refuse a cesarean section and give birth naturally, but observing the necessary safety measures so as not to infect the child. After birth, an additional analysis is carried out - a blood sample is taken from the baby's umbilical vein.

Syphilis test during pregnancy

Syphilis testing during pregnancy is performed in combination with other tests for infections. A referral for this test is given early in pregnancy to ensure timely treatment and necessary measures in case the pathogen is detected.

Syphilis or RW testing is performed three times throughout pregnancy - upon registration, at 30-38 weeks of pregnancy and upon hospitalization in the maternity hospital. To perform the test, venous blood is taken, preferably on an empty stomach, and the day before the test, it is strictly contraindicated to consume fatty, fried foods and alcoholic beverages or alcohol-based drugs.

The results of the analysis can be either positive or negative. Positive results are classified as follows:

• + - means a questionable reaction.
• ++ - means a weakly positive reaction.
• +++ - means a positive reaction.
• ++++ - means a strongly positive reaction.

If the diagnosis is positive, the woman is assigned additional tests, based on the results of which specific treatment is prescribed to prevent congenital syphilis in the future child. Congenital syphilis is almost untreatable and leads to the formation of severe complications in the child, including brain damage.

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Salmonella test during pregnancy

A woman should take a salmonellosis test during pregnancy according to indications. Even if the infection manifests itself weakly, you should not delay contacting a doctor and diagnostics. The pathogen can be detected in the blood as early as five days after infection - antibodies to the pathogen will already appear in the blood test. If you do not contact a doctor and do not undergo treatment, the disease will become latent.

Analysis of a stool sample or rectal smear for salmonellosis during pregnancy can be used as a diagnostic method at the first signs of the disease, as well as a routine bacteriological analysis when registering at a women's consultation. The analysis has become mandatory due to the fact that many expectant mothers have the disease without severe symptoms or in a latent form.

During childbirth, salmonella can infect the newborn and cause a number of dangerous diseases. To exclude this, if antibodies to salmonella or salmonella are detected in the expectant mother during a bacterial study, a course of specific treatment is prescribed. Medicines are selected in such a way that they do not penetrate the placenta and do not affect the fetus. Antibiotics are prescribed in short courses; after discontinuing the drugs, it is recommended to take a test for salmonellosis three times and at intervals.

Tests for infections during pregnancy will help identify a particular disease at an early stage and protect the mother and child from possible complications.

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