HIV is a virus that affects the immune system. If left undiagnosed and untreated, HIV can cause serious illness and be passed on to other people. However, if diagnosed early and with the right treatment, a person living with HIV can expect to live a long, healthy life and not worry about passing the virus on to others.

In Greater Manchester, an estimated 1 in 20 people living with HIV don’t know their status, and 4 in 10 people living with HIV are diagnosed at a late stage, delaying access to treatment and care that can help you stay well.  Testing is the only way to know your HIV status and puts you in control of your health.

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver and usually only lasts for a few months and can clear without any treatment.

If left untreated for many years, hepatitis C can cause liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer. Treating hepatitis C as early as possible can help reduce this risk.

If you come to our emergency department (also known as A&E) for any reason, we often take a blood sample and test it for many different things. We now also test these blood samples for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, unless you ask us not to.

It can take 45 days after HIV enters the body for it to be detected in a blood test, and up to six months for hepatitis C. If you think you have been exposed to HIV within the last 45 days, please let a member of staff know as other types of tests are available and we have a specialist team who can provide support and care.

If you have been exposed to HIV in the last three days, you can take medication known as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) within 72 hours to stop the virus. It’s only recommended following higher-risk exposure, particularly where the sexual partner is known to be living with HIV. If this is the case, you can get PEP from the emergency department or your local sexual health clinic.

Please let a member of staff know when you are having your blood test that you do not want to be tested for HIV and/or hepatitis. They will make a note on your medical record and your blood sample will not be tested for HIV and/or hepatitis. This will not affect the care you receive from us.

If you do not hear from us within 28 days, you can assume that your test was negative. If your sample was not tested due to technical reasons, a member of staff will contact you and provide information on how you could access another set of testing.

If you have a reactive result (provisional positive), A member of the team will contact you to guide you through the next steps, to arrange an appointment and link you with the specialist teams who are here to support you.

You can also request a copy of your results during any contact from the team, or submit a request via your local GP.

We understand that learning that you have HIV can be a very difficult time and we are here to support you through this. HIV is a treatable medical condition and can be managed with antiretroviral medications. Taking these daily tablets suppresses the virus and helps your immune system repair itself and prevent further damage.

Treatment for HIV is now so effective that most people taking regular medications reach a point where the virus is ‘undetectable’ in the body. This means that they can lead a normal, healthy life and will not pass the virus on to others through sexual contact.

Treatment for HIV is free from the NHS and can be started at any point following your diagnosis. Everyone in the UK is entitled to free HIV treatment and care, regardless of their immigration status.

Most people do not have any lasting problems after having hepatitis B, but you may be offered medicine to help with any symptoms.

If hepatitis B lasts for over six months, it is called long-term or chronic hepatitis B. This is usually treated with antiviral medication, and you may need to see a specialist for regular check-ups.

Hepatitis C can be treated with a course of tablets, which are usually taken for 8-12 weeks. In some cases, hepatitis C will clear without any treatment.

Other types of free and confidential HIV testing, such as finger prick blood tests, are available from GPs and local sexual health clinics. People can also order a free home testing kit online. Point-of-care testing in community settings and home test kits are available to people who are at a higher risk of acquiring HIV from BHA for Equality and LGBT Foundation.

You can order a free and confidential test to be delivered to your home through: Home – HepC