16 week pregnancy HIV test?

Why are pregnant women tested at 16 weeks for HIV when the window period for HIV is 6 months? Do most cases show up within the 16 weeks? I am slightly worried as I have just found out that there is a risk that the sperm I used to conceive my daughter could have been contaminated and am extremely worried. My daughter is a big healthy baby though but I have just finished an 11 month stint of breast feeding. I had the test at 16 weeks and was clear. Serious answers please.

in theory you should only need yourself to be checked if you are clear then your baby will be as well because it has not come into contact with the virus???

i would get yourself and your child checked again just to be safe

Go to your doctor to get her tested. I would relax until you get the test results back.

if i were you i would ask midwife or doctor im not to sure of the answer but wanted to wish you good luck as you will probably receive lots of ignorant answers

I think they test all pregnant women for HIV regardless of whether they know they were at risk as they may of had it for years without knowing. I had one with all three kids.

They have to do a HIV screening for all pregnancies, I had mine at 16 weeks. It's because if they do find out you are pregnant with a HIV positive baby they can sometimes give injections for the low cases of HIV. HIV can also cause complication's while delivering. Ask your doctor for further information. It's use full to know everything while your pregnant and it never gets boring to learn new things everyday.

I don't know why at 16 weeks, but I think u should get tested again for both u and ur daughter and then only u can rest ur mind, I know its agonizing but u will be sure afterwards and take control of ur life.

good luck.

they did mine before i got pg even

i was tested twice once in the beginning and then again around 30 weeks but the latter test was optional. if i were you i would get tested and get your daughter tested. there is really no risk in getting tested and then you will have the peace of mind. if you have it you don't want to wait until you get sick. I'm sure you are both fine but really better safe than sorry. i just wanted to add that i am married and there was no reason to think i would be at high risk maybe it was just that Dr that offered it to ppl. my best friend has lost her father to aids and her mother is infected and sick. they go it it after there children were born she worked as a nurses aid and that is most likely how they got it possibly due to a needle prick. so no mater what you situation every one should get tested yearly. getting on the medication b4 you get sick makes a huge difference.

My husband works in a hospital and once pricked himself on a needle. He wasnt tested for six months, they say theres no point. He was fine, hope you are too!

How did you find out the sperm may have been tainted? did you use a sperm bank? your best bet wold be for both to get tested. I wish you both luck.

you say the sperm you used, was this pregnancy from artificial ensimination? If so, def sue these people if you have it. Although I hope you and your child do not but def get tested again as soon as possible.

at 16 weeks if the result came back positive you would have the choice to terminate or not, if it came back positive after 6months then there would be nothing you could do.

Im a student nurse and it is a routine check which is done with all the other test there is nothing to worry about talk to your midwife and see can give you information to put your mind at ease. If you are worried about your daughter you can simply see the g.p and have her tested.