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What Does The Following Ultrasound Report During Pregnancy Indicate?
Question: Hi! I am 6W4D pregnant and had a vaginal ultrasound done this morning due to bleeding and cramping.
I did not see the ultrasound tech cover the probe with a condom, but i did see that a condom was on the device before insertion. It looked wrinkly and possibly wet (but the room was dark).
After the ultrasound was over, she mentionrd that she had to turn on the sterilizing machine and that when they turn it on for the first time during the day, it takes 7 minutes to warm up. She also started talking about how they also wipe doen the probe between uses for extra safety.
I didnt think much aboht it while we were there -- but i started thinking about it later, and realized that the probe must not have been sterilized before she used it on me if she was turning on the sterilizing machine for the day AFTER my ultrasound. I also started thinking about the condom. I didnt see her apply it to the probe, and am wondering if it was possibly leftover from the previous person who received a transvaginal ultrasound.
Would i have a risk of contracting an STD such as HIV or HPV if the probe had not been sterilized prior to use? And what if the condom was leftover from the previous ultrasound -- could that cause an STD infection?
I did not see the ultrasound tech cover the probe with a condom, but i did see that a condom was on the device before insertion. It looked wrinkly and possibly wet (but the room was dark).
After the ultrasound was over, she mentionrd that she had to turn on the sterilizing machine and that when they turn it on for the first time during the day, it takes 7 minutes to warm up. She also started talking about how they also wipe doen the probe between uses for extra safety.
I didnt think much aboht it while we were there -- but i started thinking about it later, and realized that the probe must not have been sterilized before she used it on me if she was turning on the sterilizing machine for the day AFTER my ultrasound. I also started thinking about the condom. I didnt see her apply it to the probe, and am wondering if it was possibly leftover from the previous person who received a transvaginal ultrasound.
Would i have a risk of contracting an STD such as HIV or HPV if the probe had not been sterilized prior to use? And what if the condom was leftover from the previous ultrasound -- could that cause an STD infection?
Brief Answer:
Please see the detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear! I have gone through your question.
Regarding your concern, you should know that if there's a possibility exists that the doctor had used the same condom before in an infected patient (that according to my opinion has a quite low probability) the most probable risk is to get infected by STI (syphilis, chlamydia, HSV2) but not from HIV.
So, based on this I think you should do some STI tests just as a precautions like RPR-VDRL and TPHA(for Syphilis), HSV 2 IgG, and chlamydia test from vaginal secretions and/ urine.
Regarding, HIV you should not worry in this case because HIV cannot live out the body just a few seconds.
Furthermore I'd suggest asking the doctor who had done the ultrasound just to be more confident and for precautions.
I hope my answer helps you. Feel free to ask Further.
I wish you a healthy pregnancy.
Regards.
Please see the detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear! I have gone through your question.
Regarding your concern, you should know that if there's a possibility exists that the doctor had used the same condom before in an infected patient (that according to my opinion has a quite low probability) the most probable risk is to get infected by STI (syphilis, chlamydia, HSV2) but not from HIV.
So, based on this I think you should do some STI tests just as a precautions like RPR-VDRL and TPHA(for Syphilis), HSV 2 IgG, and chlamydia test from vaginal secretions and/ urine.
Regarding, HIV you should not worry in this case because HIV cannot live out the body just a few seconds.
Furthermore I'd suggest asking the doctor who had done the ultrasound just to be more confident and for precautions.
I hope my answer helps you. Feel free to ask Further.
I wish you a healthy pregnancy.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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