Routine testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the MFT Emergency Departments

HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viruses found in the blood. Many people who have these viruses don’t have any symptoms and may not know they have them. By finding out whether you have HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, you can take steps to protect yourself and others.

These viruses can seriously affect your health. If HIV is found too late, it can shorten your life by about 15 years and cause major health problems.

Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C can damage your liver, leading to liver scarring (called cirrhosis) and liver cancer.

You can pass these viruses to others through sex and through blood contact, such as sharing needles. Knowing you have the infection and taking your treatment as prescribed can prevent you from passing the viruses on to others. Also, family members and partners of people with hepatitis B can get a vaccine to protect themselves from the virus.

HIV can be managed with daily tablets. If found early, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

Hepatitis C can now be completely cured with tablets taken for 8 to 12 weeks. These tablets are easy to take and work very well. Curing hepatitis C stops further liver damage and reduces the chance of getting liver cancer.

For hepatitis B, some people need to take medicine, while others only need follow-up tests every few months to make sure the infection is not damaging their liver.

To find out if you have HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C you need to have specific blood tests. These tests are not normally part of the routine blood tests done by your GP.

If your test was “reactive” (provisionally positive), we will contact you to arrange an appointment and discuss the next steps.

If you do not hear from us within 28 days, you can generally assume that your HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C tests were negative. However, please be aware that there is a chance your blood sample was not sent to the Virology Laboratory for testing.

You can check all your test results using the MyMFT app. Results for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C should appear in the app within 28 days from when your sample was taken.

If you believe you were tested but do not see your results in the MyMFT app, it is possible that your sample did not reach the Virology Laboratory.

If you need another test or have any questions, you can contact us at the following:

• Manchester Royal Infirmary: thenorthernISH.enquiries@mft.nhs.uk
• Wythenshawe Hospital: thenorthernISH.enquiries@mft.nhs.uk
• North Manchester General Hospital: hiv.teamNMGH@mft.nhs.uk, Phone: 0161 720 2637/ 2638

It can take 6-12 weeks for HIV and hepatitis B markers and up to 6 months for hepatitis C antibody to be detectable on a blood test after you have been infected.

If you have recently been at risk, you can get another test through your GP or local sexual health service. Alternatively, you can contact us using the details provided above.