HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) and are generally transmitted sexually or by direct exposure to infected blood or other body fluids contaminated with infected blood.
You can have confidential testing for BBVs at your GPs or at the services below:
- Transform Forth Valley 01259 272112
- Change Grow Live – Recovery service Forth Valley 0808 196 2188.
- Community Alcohol & Drug Service (CADS); Stirling 01786 434430 or Falkirk 01324 673670.
- Sexual Health Services; 01324 673554
A Dry Blood Spot (DBS) test can be carried out to test for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. The test is a quick finger prick which can be carried out at the various sites noted above. A follow up blood test may be required after a couple of months; this will be discussed and explained to you when you have the test.
There is a vaccine available that helps protect against Hepatitis B. It’s given to people at higher risk from Hepatitis B. Find out more about the vaccine on NHS UK and contact the sexual health services to ask about being vaccinated.
Find out more about Blood Borne Viruses.