Real-Life Patient Stories
HIV is a real issue that affects women and their lives in personal ways, especially during pregnancy. Below are the stories of women whose lives have been touched by the Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline and the relationship with an enhanced case manager. The stories are fictionalized but based on real events; names and some circumstances have been changed to protect privacy.
Angela's Story
An unhappy surprise with proper medical treatment turns into a healthy baby boy.
“Angela” was 32 weeks pregnant when she went to the hospital with abdominal pain. She came out with a positive rapid HIV test. What happens now?
Luckily for Angela, the hospital called the Hotline to report the test result. With Angela’s consent, Hotline staff was able to contact her obstetrician prior to her visit that very afternoon. He was inexperienced in the care of HIV positive pregnant women and very interested in the enhanced case management program.
The Hotline immediately dispatched a case manager who was able to meet with Angela and her doctor and assist with post-test counseling. With the assistance of her case manager, Angela was linked to a perinatal HIV center and attended all her prenatal appointments.
Most importantly, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy who is HIV negative.
Maria's Story
A new mother frightened and overwhelmed finds the compassionate help she needs to go on.
“Maria” had just delivered a baby and the hospital did not learn of her HIV status prior to delivery. Maria had not received prenatal care during her pregnancy. The hospital called the Hotline to report a preliminary positive rapid HIV test.
Hotline staff offers to send an enhanced case manager to the hospital to see Maria and she agrees.
When the case manager arrives she finds Maria scared and overwhelmed. She has no car seat, diapers, or clothing for her newborn, and has no income or benefits. The case manager offers emotional support and provides the most urgent essential needs, while also assisting Maria in enrolling in public benefits.
Maria and her baby are linked to follow-up HIV care and Maria begins receiving HIV care for the first time. Maria’s social situation stabilizes. She is able to care for her baby who is later confirmed HIV negative.
Ana's Story
A patient too scared to tell anyone about her HIV status obtains the support she needs to care for herself and her family.
A nurse in an urban hospital calls the Hotline because she is concerned about “Ana”, an HIV positive woman who just gave birth and did not disclose her status to hospital staff before delivery. Ana was identified through a preliminary positive rapid HIV test and the nurse is concerned that she won’t follow-up with her newborn’s AZT treatment and pediatric appointments.
Hotline staff describes the enhanced case management program and the nurse offers the service to Ana. She accepts and the Hotline dispatches an enhanced case manager to the hospital for immediate post-test counseling and support.
The case manager accompanies Ana and her baby to follow-up appointments and assists with social service needs to ensure successful linkage to care. Ana attends her HIV care appointments and the follow-up appointments for her baby who is eventually confirmed negative. With the case manager’s support and encouragement, Ana’s older child is also tested for HIV and is found to be negative.