We are now offering routine HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing in our Emergency Department for all patients aged 18 years and over who are having bloods taken for another reason.

This automatic testing is part of a national NHS initiative to carry out testing in local areas where prevalence of these infections is high.

There is highly effective treatment for all these infections available on the NHS, and accessing these early can save lives.

FAQs

What happens to my results?

Results usually take two to three days to be processed, meaning that you will not receive these results on the day that you attend the emergency department. If your test results are negative for HIV, hepatitis B and C, you will not hear any more from us. If any of your results are positive or just need repeating, you will be contacted by either telephone or post and asked to attend an appointment at a specific clinic. Sometimes due to technical reasons the tests cannot be processed and we will also inform you if that is the case.

What if I don’t want to be tested?

If you don’t want to have your blood tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C please inform the member of staff taking your bloods.

Please remember, knowing you have any of these infections means you can access life saving treatment sooner. Treatments for these infections also mean you are eliminating the chance of passing the viruses to others.

Would I have symptoms if I had these infections?

Most people who have these infections do not have any specific symptoms, so the only way to know if you have them is to get a specific blood test, which is not usually included in blood tests done by your GP.

Hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B and C affect your liver and can lead to serious liver problems if not treated. You can have hepatitis B and C for many years and not notice any symptoms, but this does not mean they are not affecting your liver.

Hepatitis C is curable. Treatment is a course of tablets, taken for 8-12 weeks. You are unlikely to experience side-effects from the treatment.

Hepatitis B can be successfully managed by taking tablets. Some patients do not require any treatment, but can simply be managed with regular check-ups to monitor their liver. We can also offer free vaccination against hepatitis B to any close household contacts of a person with hepatitis B, preventing any risk of passing this virus to them.

Further support visit:
The Hepatitis C Trust
British Liver Trust – Hepatitis B
NHS – Hepatitis B

HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system slowly over time. There are excellent treatments for HIV in the form of tablets you take, usually just once a day. The treatment is so effective that
it stops the virus from reproducing in your body. This reduces the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels, meaning you cannot pass on HIV and can expect to live a normal lifespan.

Further support from Terrance Higgins Trust

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

Please email the BBV testing team at rwh-tr.bbvtesting@nhs.net