EastEnders spoilers: Zack Hudson’s fears in HIV story as Whitney Dean gets baby’s blood test results
Zack Hudson (James Farrar) was left concerned in EastEnders following his HIV diagnosis, worried that he’d unknowingly passed HIV on to his unborn baby.
The barman decided to get tested earlier this week, after old acquaintance Brett Nelson (Fabrizio Santino) rocked up and informed him that there was a possibility he has HIV.
The two used to use steroids, and had previously shared needles.
Zack received his test results on Monday (January 16), being told that he is HIV-positive. The subsequent outing of the BBC One soap saw him struggle to come to terms with his diagnosis, breaking down in Brett’s arms.
Brett was quick to try and put Zack’s mind at rest, telling him that he can live a long and healthy life with HIV. Zack, however, was more concerned about Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and their unborn baby.
Whitney headed to her first baby scan at the hospital, which Zack chose not to attend, struggling to get his head around his diagnosis.
Brett encouraged him to speak to Whitney, but Zack was apprehensive, before stating that she’ll be getting tests at the hospital, which will reveal all they need to know about the baby.
Unable to stop thinking about his unborn child, the bartender asked for details about the scan from Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams), who confirmed that Whitney would be receiving the blood results tomorrow.
Zack was on edge, desperately wanting answers.
Terrence Higgins Trust’s Medical Director Dr Kate Nambiar told Metro.co.uk: ‘All pregnant people in the UK are offered an HIV test to reduce the number of babies born with the virus. Thanks to this and the incredible treatment advances, vertical HIV transmission rarely happens in the UK now.
‘People living with HIV do give birth to HIV negative children. If someone who is pregnant tests positive for HIV, they’ll be advised to start treatment straight away.
‘This is a crucial way to prevent the virus being transmitted to the baby during pregnancy or birth.’
You can find out answers to common questions, myths and misinformation about HIV and Zack’s story here.
EastEnders continues Thursday January 19 at 7:30pm on BBC One.
If you have any questions about HIV, you can contact Terrence Higgins Trust’s free and confidential helpline THT direct. Call 0808 802 1221 between 10am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
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