All patients over the age of 16 that visit an emergency department needing a blood test will also be tested for Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV. This routine testing programme will take place at the Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital and Rochdale Urgent Care Centre. If you do not wish to be tested for these viruses, please let a member of staff know. This will not in any way affect the care you receive from us.
Early diagnosis of blood-borne viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C means people can access the treatment they need sooner than otherwise and allows them to lead healthier lives in the long term.
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 anymore from us. If any of your results are positive, you will be contacted by either telephone or post and asked to attend an appointment at a specific clinic. You will be given a choice on where the clinic will be. Further information and support will be available when you attend the appointment.
Here is some information about each of the 3 viruses that are new to our testing programme.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C affects your liver and can lead to serious liver problems if not treated. You can have Hepatitis C for many years and not notice any symptoms, but this does not mean it isn’t 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. Further support: www.hepctrust.org.uk
HIV
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. ‘Immunodeficiency’ refers to the weakening of the immune system by the virus. HIV can be causing damage silently for many years; you may have no signs or symptoms.
For the vast majority of people with HIV, treatment is normally a fixed dose combination tablet, taking it once a day. The treatment is so effective that it stops the virus from reproducing in your body. It 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 George House https://ght.org.uk
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B affects your liver. Most adults that contract Hepatitis B fully recover, but if contracted as a child, self-clearing of the virus is unlikely. Treatment is very effective and is usually in the form of tablets. Some people do not need treatment for the virus as it may not be causing damage to the liver. They will need regular check-ups though. An important other step is to vaccinate those that live with you and these vaccines can be provided free of charge by your GP.
Further information and support at:
https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/hepatitis-b/
Date of Review: March 2025
Date of Next Review: March 2027
Ref No: PI_M_2056 (BRO)