BS: Blood tests in USA

Subject: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 07:08 PM

I was watching a Tom Hanks dvd today, and the story line was that he was getting married. He had to go to the Doctor and have a blood test before the big day, why?

I remember this in loads of other films when I was a kid, but never questioned it. We don't do it in UK.

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 07:10 PM

Syphilis, but they may test for HIV now too.

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Peace
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 07:10 PM

Link you may wish to read.

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 07:21 PM

Gosh, thanks for that. No wonder the young of this country are riddled with disease. Maybe we should introduce this law in this country.

(lights blue touch paper, and retires!)

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 07:59 PM

In the fine print you sign over all rights to your tissue so that drug companies may patent your DNA just in case you have a valuable disease resistent gene.

Buying up all your genetic data is cheaper than buying your purchasing data.

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 09:46 PM

What?

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 10:18 PM

Well, I know, really know, that because of my genetic perfection whenever I give blood, have a tooth pulled, or in any other way have genetic-containing materials removed from my body it is saved by a Secret Government Agency so that they can clone me later. This was started years ago, because I meet myself coming and going.

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 10:21 PM

A blood test is not required by all states for marriage. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 10:37 PM

Maybe it's a hold-over from when syphilis was a REAL problem. The 36,935 new cases in the US in 2006 wasn't a big deal, and the 349 of those case that were babies born with congenital syphilis is positively minor.

There were 2,766 reported cases in the whole of the UK in 2006.

All sarcasm aside, there is NO reason for a baby to be born with this when there are tests and treatments. Maybe it's easier to screen before marriage if you can't be sure a mother-to-be will receive prenatal care at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 10:37 PM

Actually, I think Donuel is correct. Any DNA used in lab tests IS purchased and owned by a company. I 'think'. Too tired to do research just now.

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 12:19 AM

No blood tests were required when Kendall and I got married in Connecticut three and a half years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 03:38 AM

A brain test would be nearer the mark.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 04:45 AM

Doesn't this rely on goody goodies not having it off before they get married? Come onnnnah! This is 21st century, and the kids do it as a form of introduction. Ma and Pa hope (think they know) that's not the case but I beg to differ on that point. Ok so I can't generalise but are American Kids that different from the UKarians? (sorry that's a thread creep to the bleached hair topic) I can't believe that most girls are virgins before they 'marry' these days. Anyway what is marriage, a disposable item?

Sal
(Ducking from the tongue lashings about to be unleashed!)

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 11:56 AM

Maybe it's easier to screen before marriage

Is the assumption that sex only occurs after and within marriage? I rather suspect that these days this policy does rather involve shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted...

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: open mike
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 12:15 PM

some even get thorough DNA testing for genetic purposes before having children in order to prevent possible birth defects and other risks.
See Genetic Counselling....www.abgc.net--and many other links..

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Peace
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 08:49 PM

The answer then is very simple. When children are born and before they leave the hospital a ver small amount of blood is taken--or at the time of various immunizations. By the time folks are grown, it's sorta like herding cats . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 09:07 PM

It's not the timing of the test, it's the fact someone gets tested once in their life. A test for syph for marriage license may be the first and only time in their adult life a person is tested. And you Brits have to realize we don't have a national health plan here. It may seem ludicrous to you that we test people like this. In the UK, if you get a sore on your semi-privates, you go to the doctor. Over here, if you're poor enough, you wait because you can't afford a doctor, and it goes away. The blood tests may not help most people and may be vestigial. I don't know if there are statistics of how many undiscovered cases are found because of the tests.

Subject: RE: BS: Blood tests in USA
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 05:14 AM

I think that a lot of men here in UK are too scared to go to the Doc when they have a sore on their privates! A lot of them are bloody cowards and will be on death's door before consulting an expert. They'll scan the net, chat to mates... anything to avoid going to the surgery!

Oh and taking blood from babies? Excellent idea, actually I thought they already did that with the heal prick.

Better still, put em down!!! (joke, honest)

Sal