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Blood Borne Virus Information and Services

Looking After Your Health

Looking after our health and our mob’s health includes knowing about blood borne viruses (BBVs), how they are spread, how to prevent them, and where to access testing, treatment, and support.

Blood borne viruses can affect anyone. With early testing and treatment, people living with a BBV can stay healthy, reduce the chance of passing the virus on, and live long and fulfilling lives.

Everyone deserves healthcare that is respectful, confidential, and free from stigma.

Blood borne viruses are viruses that are mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact. BBVs can also be spread through fluids that contain blood.

The main blood borne viruses in Australia are:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV

Some BBVs can also be transmitted through sexual activity, pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding—depending on the virus.

Many people living with a BBV feel completely well and have no symptoms for years, making testing an important part of staying healthy and preventing illness.

Different BBVs spread in different ways.

BBVs may be transmitted through:

  • unprotected sex;
  • sharing injecting equipment, including needles and syringes;
  • sharing tattooing or piercing equipment;
  • pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding; and
  • blood-to-blood contact through cuts, injuries, or blood rituals

BBVs are not spread by:

  • hugging,
  • kissing (unless significant blood is present),
  • sharing food or drinks,
  • sharing toilets,
  • coughing or sneezing,
  • mosquitoes or other insects
Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B (Hep B) is a virus that affects the liver.

Some people clear the virus naturally, while others develop chronic hepatitis B, which requires lifelong monitoring.

A safe and effective vaccine protects people from getting hep B. Hepatitis B vaccines are given to babies and have been routine since 2000. All people regardless of age are able to access vaccinations through an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), immunisation clinic or GP.

Without treatment and regular care, hep B can lead to:

  • liver damage,
  • cirrhosis (scaring of the liver), or
  • liver cancer

Symptoms

Many people have no symptoms.

Some people experience:

  • tiredness,
  • nausea,
  • abdominal pain,
  • dark urine,
  • yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

Testing

Testing for Hep B includes a standard blood test or a finger-prick test (Point of Care test).

Treatment

Although there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B, effective medicines can help prevent liver damage and reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Regular monitoring with your healthcare provider is important.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (Hep C) also affects the liver.

Today, hep C can be cured in most people.

Most new infections occur through sharing injecting equipment.

Symptoms

Many people have no symptoms.

If symptoms occur, they may include:

  • tiredness,
  • nausea,
  • abdominal pain,
  • dark urine,
  • yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

Testing

Testing involves either a blood test or a finger prick (Point of Care) test.

Treatment

Modern hep C treatment:

  • is different for everyone depending on their circumstance;
  • usually involves taking tablets for 8–12 weeks; and
  • cures almost all patients

After successful treatment, it is still possible to get hepatitis C again if exposed.

HIV

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) affects the immune system.

In Australia, with today’s treatments, people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives.

People taking effective HIV treatment who maintain their treatment will reach a stabilised point of a significant decrease in their viral load (the amount of HIV in their blood). When it decreases to an ‘undetectable’ amount, the HIV cannot be transmitted (or spread) to others, like their partners or babies. This is known as U=U – Undetectable = Untransmittable.

Symptoms

Some people experience a flu-like illness shortly after infection.

Many people have no symptoms for years.

After an average of 10 years of untreated HIV, the immune systems weakens and people then experience:

  • diarrhea,
  • weight loss,
  • skin infections, and
  • chronic fatigue

Testing

HIV is diagnosed through a blood test. You can also do an at-home finger prick test. However, you are required to have a blood test at a clinic or pathology service to know for sure and seek treatment.

Regular testing is recommended for people at increased risk. This includes:

  • gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men;
  • trans and gender-diverse individuals;
  • people who inject drugs;
  • sex workers;
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
  • those traveling to high HIV-prevalence countries; and
  • people with multiple partners

Treatment

There is no cure for HIV, but a highly effective treatment called antiretroviral therapy (ART) allows people to live healthy lives and prevents the spread of the virus when treatment is successful.

There are many ways to reduce your risk. These include:

  • never sharing needles, syringes or injecting equipment;
  • using condoms and lube during sex;
  • getting vaccinated against hepatitis B;
  • ensuring tattoos and piercings are performed using sterile equipment;
  • getting regular check-ups;
  • taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if appropriate; or
  • taking post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after HIV exposure

There are medicines available that can help prevent HIV. These medicines are called PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis).

PrEP and PEP only protect against HIV. They do not prevent hep B, hep C, or other sexually transmitted infections.

What is PrEP? 

PrEP is a medicine that people who do not have HIV can take to help prevent HIV infection before they are exposed. 

When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV. 

PrEP may be suitable for people who: 

  • have sex without condoms and may be at increased risk of HIV; 
  • have a sexual partner living with HIV who is not yet virally suppressed; 
  • share injecting equipment; 
  • have other circumstances that place them at increased risk of HIV 

PrEP is available with a prescription from any GPs, sexual health clinics and authorised nurses. Your local clinic can help determine whether PrEP is right for you. 

People taking PrEP should continue to have regular HIV and STI testing and attend follow-up appointments as recommended. 

What is PEP? 

PEP is an emergency medicine that can help prevent HIV after a possible exposure. 

PEP must be started as soon as possible, and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after the exposure. The sooner it is started, the more effective it is. 

PEP is usually taken for 28 days. 

PEP may be recommended after: 

  • unprotected sex where there is a risk of HIV; 
  • sharing injecting equipment; 
  • a needlestick injury or other occupational exposure; or, 
  • another situation where there may have been contact with blood or body fluids that could carry HIV

 If you think you may need PEP, seek medical advice immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop. 

You can access PEP from emergency departments in hospitals, sexual health clinics, and other healthcare clinics. Check out, Get PEP to find a service in WA that prescribes PEP.  

Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) are an important part of healthcare and help prevent the spread of BBVs and injecting-related injuries and infections.  

NSPs provide free, sterile injecting equipment and safe disposal options so that people who inject drugs can protect their health and the health of others. They also provide access to health information, referrals and support services.  

Depending on the location, NSPs may offer: 

  • free sterile needles, syringes and other injecting equipment; 
  • safe disposal of used injecting equipment; 
  • education about safer injecting practices and preventing infections; 
  • information about blood borne viruses and testing; 
  • referrals to alcohol and other drug services, mental health services, sexual health services and primary healthcare; 
  • access to naloxone or information about preventing and responding to opioid overdose; 
  • support to access hepatitis C treatment, hepatitis B vaccination and HIV prevention or care; and 
  • a safe, judgement-free environment and point of connection for the community

Australian and global research highlights the importance of NSPs as safe and effective public health initiatives (Fernandes et al., 2017). They help reduce the spread of BBVs without increasing drug use and play an important role in keeping people, their families and communities healthy and safe. 

Accessing NSP services can be through: 

  • community health services, 
  • hospitals, 
  • pharmacies, 
  • 24-hour NSP dispensing machines, 
  • outreach vans, and 
  • home delivery options 

In WA, Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service is currently the only Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) that operates an approved NSP, providing culturally safe access to sterile injecting equipment and safe disposal across its four Boorloo (Perth) clinics. 

If your ACCHS is interested in starting a Needle and Syringe Program, AHCWA can support your organisation. Contact the SHBBV team at AHCWA on (08) 9227 1631 or email sexualhealth@ahcwa.org. 

Testing is simple, confidential and available across Western Australia.

Check-up may look like:

  • blood tests,
  • discussions about your health and any possible exposure, or
  • referrals for additional care if needed

Many people have no symptoms, so testing is often the only way to know if you have a BBV.

Many people living with a BBV live healthy, active lives. 

Good healthcare includes: 

  • regular check-ups; 
  • taking medicines as prescribed; 
  • looking after your liver health; 
  • maintaining a healthy lifestyle; 
  • seeking emotional and cultural support if needed 

Support is available, and no one should experience shame or discrimination because of a BBV. For information about the legal rights of a person living with a BBV visit:  

Looking after your health during pregnancy is important for both you and your baby. All pregnant people in WA are routinely offered BBV testing as part of standard antenatal screening.

Early testing means early treatment, which can greatly reduce the risk of passing a virus to your baby and support a healthy pregnancy.

Testing is recommended:

  • at the first antenatal visit (as early in pregnancy as possible)
  • and may be repeated later in pregnancy if there are ongoing risk factors or local public health guidance recommends it. For example, syphilis testing is required at least three times during pregnancy for most people in WA, with those living in the Kimberley, Pilbara, or Goldfields to be screened five times.

Effective treatment and clinical care can greatly reduce the chance of passing a BBV to a baby.

Blood borne virus testing, treatment and support are available across metro, regional and remote WA. 

You can access services at: 

  • your local AMS, 
  • a GP clinic, 
  • a sexual health service, 
  • needle and syringe programs, 
  • hospital services, and 
  • community health service

If you live in a regional or remote community, your local AMS or health clinic can support you with testing, treatment, or referrals. 

Use these service finders to locate services near you: 

Can blood borne viruses be cured? 

  • Hepatitis C can usually be cured with tablets
  • Hepatitis B can be effectively managed but is not usually cured
  • HIV cannot currently be cured but can be effectively managed with treatment

Can someone have a BBV without knowing? 

Yes. Many people have no symptoms, especially in the early stages. 

Is testing confidential? 

Yes. Testing is confidential, and healthcare providers are there to support you without judgement.  

Your health information is private, and all healthcare providers are legally required to keep your personal information confidential. 

Many people living in small communities or remote communities worry about being recognised at their local health service or that others might find out why they are being tested. It is important to know that clinic workers have a professional and legal responsibility to protect your privacy. 

If you have concerns, you can talk to a clinic worker about what would make you feel most comfortable. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to: 

  • request to see a male or female clinician, where available; 
  • ask to speak with a different healthcare provider; 
  • attend another clinic or service if this is an option; 
  • discuss referral to a service outside your community; 
  • ask questions about how your information is stored and who can access it

You have the right to confidential, respectful, and culturally safe healthcare, wherever you live. If you are unsure about your options, speak with your local AMS or clinic, who can help you access the care that best meets your needs. 

Can I still live a healthy life with a BBV? 

Yes. If diagnosed early and adhering to treatment, many people living with a blood borne virus live long and healthy lives. 

If you would like information, testing, or support, speak with your local AMS, GP, Needle and Syringe Program, or healthcare provider.

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