Description of impact
Bloodborne viruses (BBVs) are viruses that can be spread from person to personthrough blood to blood contact or if other bodily fluids (like semen and vaginal fluids)
pass into another person's blood, for example during sex. The most common BBVs are
hepatitis B and C, which can affect the liver, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV),
which can affect the immune system.
Receiving appropriate care for BBVs reduces avoidable long-term illness, and death,
which can be an outcome of untreated infection. Early diagnosis and treatment reduces
burden on the National Health Service (NHS). Identifying and treating BBVs also helps
the UK progress towards the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ambition to eliminate
viral hepatitis as a public health threat with a target of 80% of people living with hepatitis
B or C being treated for their infection and the England HIV Action Plan goal of zero HIV
transmissions by 2030.
Hospital Emergency Departments are carrying out opt-out testing for BBVs with the
aims of: (1) identifying more people who are living with the viruses, particularly for
people who are not accessing other testing services or do not consider themselves at
risk and (2) reducing the stigma associated with testing.
| Category of impact | Health impacts |
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