Blood Borne Viruses - Hepatitis | HIV

If you have a Blood-Borne Virus, you can make an appointment with our Blood Borne Virus Nurses by contacting our secretary on 01592 729276

Blood-Borne Viruses (BBVs) are viruses in the blood and can be spread from one person to another by blood-to-blood contact, or if other bodily fluids (like semen and vaginal fluids) pass into another person's blood, for example during sex.

The most common BBVs are:

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) which can affect the immune system
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C which can affect the liver

There is excellent treatment which can control HIV and Hepatitis B. There is also treatment available which can cure Hepatitis C. This new treatment is a very short course of tablets and has less side effects than other treatments (like Interferon).

There are also ways to prevent blood-borne viruses - for example vaccinations against Hepatitis B, and PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis - one brand name is Truvada) to prevent HIV.