Blood borne screening

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The importance of blood tests

Most people with blood borne infections will not show any symptoms of an infection. This is very common for people who were born with the infection. They will feel fit and healthy for a long time.

Not all infections can be cured. But medications can prevent them from getting worse and help keep people healthy. Without treatment and monitoring these infections can cause people to get very unwell.

It is also possible to have more than one infection at the same time.

When you know you have an infection, you can learn how to stop it from being passed onto other people.

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About the blood test

The blood test will look for:

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Syphilis

Your blood will be taken by a clinician who specialises in taking blood (a phlebotomist) They will take blood using a needle from a place near your elbow. It may not be near your elbow, but this is where it is typically taken.

The blood test results will be given to:

you
your GP
the doctors who will be looking after you

Nobody else will be told unless you want them to be. It's important that you are supported in looking after your help, so you may want to talk about it with an adult you trust.

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Blood borne infections

Blood borne infections can be passed from person to person. There are many ways that these infections can be passed:

During pregnancy from mother to baby baby. Some people are born with infections. They may not be aware of the infection until they are much older.
Sexual intercourse. The infection can pass to another person during sex.
Blood. There are situations where you may have been infected by another person's blood such as if you shared a needle with someone who has an infection

These infections are more common in some areas of the world. Whilst travelling to England you may have been put into a situation where you were at a higher risk of catching the infection.

Types of blood borne infections

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. This virus can cause short-term (acute) or persistent (chronic) infection. Some people recover completely after a short term illness. But if you become unwell you may need treatment in a hospital. In some people the virus can cause persistent infection if not treated. You may not be aware off straight away as you may not show symptoms of this infection until later on. Persistent infections can damage and in some people it can lead to liver cancer.

If your blood test shows that you have this viral infection, you will be referred to a specialist doctor. This doctor will be an infectious disease specialist or a liver specialist. The doctor can start you on a treatment plan with antiviral medications. They will follow up with regular appointments to track your progress.
Hepatitis C is a virus that can damage the liver. In most people the liver damage is mild and some are able to clear infection naturally. Some people will remain without symptoms, but will continue to have persistent infections. This can lead to scarring of the liver or liver cancer in later adult life.

If your blood test shows that you have this viral infection, you will be referred to a specialist doctor. This doctor will be an infectious disease specialist or a liver specialist. The doctor can start you on a treatment plan with antiviral medications. They will follow up with regular appointments to check your progress.

The treatment for this virus has advanced in recent years and the aim of treatment is to clear the virus from your body. This is done by oral antiviral medications and injections (interferon).
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s defense system that fights infections (immune system). It is a lifelong condition with no cure. It leads to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). This stops the body fighting off infections that otherwise a healthy body would be able to do.

When managed well, HIV is not a life-threatening or life-limiting condition. But if left untreated your weakened immune system won't be able to fight off infections. This could make you very unwell and you will need to be treating in hospital.

If your blood test shows that you have HIV, you will be referred to a specialist doctor. This doctor will be an infectious disease specialist or a sexual health specialist. The doctor can start you on a treatment plan with medications.

The medicines work by keeping HIV under control. They keep the virus at very low levels in the body. This lets your immune system recover. While these medicines can control the virus, they do not cure it.

HIV treatments are improving. It's now possible to have a normal length of life. Women with HIV who are on medication can have babies without HIV.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection. It can be caught from having sex or it can be passed on to babies during pregnancy if the mum has syphilis.

It can cause sores and skin rashes at first and make people feel unwell. If it is not treated it will affect different parts of the body like your brain, bones and teeth.

Syphilis is completely curable.

If your blood test shows that you have syphilis, you will be referred to a specialist doctor. This doctor will be an infectious disease specialist or a sexual health specialist. The doctor will treat you with antibiotics, usually penicillin. If you are allergic to penicillin, you will be treated with a different antibiotic.

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Blood test results

The test results usually come back within 3 weeks.

If you do not have an infection, your GP will let you know.
If you have an infection, you will be informed by your GP and will be referred to a specialist team to follow this up.

Your blood test results are private. They will only be given to you, your GP and the doctors who will be looking after you. No-one else will be told about your test results. You can tell whoever you are comfortable telling. You may want to tell an adult you trust. It's really important that you are supported during this time.

If you have any concerns or questions, you can contact the children in care team on 0300 555 0606.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.