Blood borne virus (BBV) testing in our Emergency Departments (ED)

From March 2025, if you're over 18 and have a blood test in the Emergency Departments at Broomfield, Southend or Basildon hospital, we will check to see if you have a blood borne virus (BBV). The viruses we'll test for are HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

It is an 'opt-out' test, meaning we will screen blood tests from everyone over 18 unless you tell us not to. This testing is part of an NHS project to detect people living with these viruses in areas of the country where HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are most common.

The project has been running for people having blood tests in other parts of the UK, like London, Manchester and Brighton, since 2022 and is designed to detect people living with the viruses, offer them treatment and save lives.

If you want to find out more about testing for these viruses outside of our EDs, visit our sexual health services page.

Total results: 8
  1. Why should I be tested?
  2. What if I don’t want to be tested?
  3. If I have these viruses, could I pass them on to others?
  4. How will I receive results of my blood test?
  5. How long after acquiring HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C can it be detected?
  6. How do the viruses affect your health?
  7. How do I know if I have hepatitis B, C or HIV?
  8. Do treatments help for those diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C?

  1. Why should I be tested?

    • HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viruses carried in the blood.
    • Many people with these viruses have no symptoms and are unaware of carrying them.
    • Knowing you have or do not have HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C means that you can protect yourself and others.
    1. Emergency Dep Routine Testing for HIV
    2. Hep B and Hep C
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  2. What if I don’t want to be tested?

    • If you do not want to have your blood tested for HIV and/or hepatitis B/C, please inform the member of staff taking your blood tests.
    • Please note that your results will be kept confidential and we will only contact you if you have a provisional positive result.
    1. Emergency Dep Routine Testing for HIV
    2. Hep B and Hep C
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  3. If I have these viruses, could I pass them on to others?

    • It is possible to pass these viruses to others through sex or contact with infected blood eg sharing needles.
    • Taking treatment regularly eliminates the risk of passing the viruses on to others.
    1. Emergency Dep Routine Testing for HIV
    2. Hep B and Hep C
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  4. How will I receive results of my blood test?

    • If you have a reactive result, also known as a provisional 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 assume that your HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C test was negative. If for some reason your sample was unable to be tested for technical reasons, a member of the team will contact you and offer a retest.
    1. Emergency Dep Routine Testing for HIV
    2. Hep B and Hep C
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  5. How long after acquiring HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C can it be detected?

    • It can take six to twelve weeks for HIV and up to six months for hepatitis B and C to be detectable on a blood test after you have been infected.
    • If you have been at recent risk, you can get another test through your GP or local sexual health service.
    1. Emergency Dep Routine Testing for HIV
    2. Hep B and Hep C
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  6. How do the viruses affect your health?

    • HIV affects the immune system by making it weaker, meaning it is much harder for the body to fight off infection.
    • Late diagnosis of HIV reduces life expectancy by around 15 years and causes significant ill-health.
    • Hepatitis B and C is a leading cause of liver damage (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.
    1. Emergency Dep Routine Testing for HIV
    2. Hep B and Hep C
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  7. How do I know if I have hepatitis B, C or HIV?

    • The only way to know is to get a specific blood test, which is not usually included in blood tests done by your GP.
    • We are now routinely providing HIV hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing for all our patients aged 18 and over who are having their blood taken in our emergency department for other reasons.
    1. Emergency Dep Routine Testing for HIV
    2. Hep B and Hep C
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  8. Do treatments help for those diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C?

    • HIV can be managed with daily tablets, these antiretroviral medicines work by stopping the virus replicating in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself and prevent further damage.
    • If diagnosed early enough, people with HIV can live a long and healthy life.
    • Hepatitis C can be cured with a simple course of tablets.
    • Hepatitis B always needs long term monitoring and only sometimes needs treatment, to control the virus, with long term antiviral tablets.
    • Ignoring hepatitis B and C can lead to liver failure and liver cancer.
    1. Emergency Dep Routine Testing for HIV
    2. Hep B and Hep C
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Contact us

If you have any questions, you can call us on 0300 443 0174 or email mse.edbbv.screening@nhs.net between Monday and Friday, 9am to 5pm.