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ROUTINE BLOOD TESTING (INFECTION)
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have recommended that patients undergoing
assisted conception treatments should have their blood screened for the following infections: Hepatitis
B&C, HIV, Rubella, and in selected cases CMV, Chlamydia and Syphilis.
Hepatitis B and C
These viruses affect the liver and can cause serious problems in some people. In the U.K. approximately 1
in 10,000 people are thought to have the Hepatitis B virus. The virus is transmitted through unprotected
sex, by blood contact and from mother to her baby. There are often no symptoms initially so the blood test
is very important to detect it. If the mother is a carrier of Hepatitis B or C the virus could pass to her baby.
HIV
HIV is the virus, which causes AIDS. It can be passed on through unprotected sex and by blood-to-blood
contact. As there are no symptoms for many years the test is very important, as it is the only way to find
out if you have the infection and enable you to get treatment for it.
It takes three months from the time that someone catches HIV until it is identified on the test. It may
therefore be necessary for the test to be repeated to get a reliable result.
Most women who have HIV do not know it because they look and feel well. Knowing that you are infected
with HIV before you are pregnant is very important because it can be passed from mother to baby. Without
treatment one baby in four may become infected - with treatment this can be reduced to one in fifty, or
less.
Any couple requiring additional counselling prior to undertaking this test are requested to approach a
member of our team who will organise this for you.
The test result is confidential.
This confidentiality will be maintained by the health care professionals involved in your care. They need to
know the result in order to provide you with the necessary treatment and support. The majority of couples
having this test receive a negative result, meaning that they are not infected with HIV. This gives
reassurance about any past worries and allows them to proceed confidently with the treatment they
require.
A negative test will not affect any past or future life insurance claims.
If the test results to any of the aforementioned conditions are positive, the couple will be given the
appropriate specialist support and counselling that they require.
At the Centre for Reproduction and Gynaecology Wales we are able to offer assisted conception treatment
to these couples.
Rubella (German Measles).
Most women nowadays are immune to this virus because of vaccination in childhood. It is
important that you are immune because this virus can cause damage to the baby if you become infected
early in pregnancy. If you are not immune, vaccination can be given prior to you commencing treatment.
CMV (Cytomegalovirus)
C.M.V. or Cytomegalovirus is a common virus, which can infect anyone. By the age of 40 years, 60-70 %
of the population of the UK will have been infected with CMV.95% of those infected have had no
symptoms, so they do not know that they have had CMV. If a woman gets a primary CMV infection while
Document Name: PI 4 Routine Blood Testing (Infection)
Approved By: Umesh Acharya
Author: Amanda O’Leary
Version 1 (Feb 2010)
Page 1 of 3
CRGW Ltd: 07029220
she is pregnant the virus may be passed on to the child in the womb, in some cases this may result in
damage to the unborn child.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the commonest bacterial infections. Many men and women who are infected with the
virus have no signs or symptoms yet can have been infected for a long time and are still infectious to
others. Without treatment, infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and complications in
pregnancy. Men can experience testicular problems. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.
Syphilis
This is sexually transmitted infection that is not common in the UK, although there has
been an increase recently.
Syphilis during pregnancy can seriously affect the baby if it is not treated.
Further Information and support:
www.screening.nhs.uk
www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk
NHS Direct Wales: 0845 46 47
www.hfea.co.uk
Document Name: PI 4 Routine Blood Testing (Infection)
Approved By: Umesh Acharya
Author: Amanda O’Leary
Version 1 (Feb 2010)
Page 2 of 3
CRGW Ltd: 07029220
Document Name: PI 4 Routine Blood Testing (Infection)
Approved By: Umesh Acharya
Author: Amanda O’Leary
Version 1 (Feb 2010)
Page 3 of 3