If you had a blood transfusion or blood products before 1996, there’s a chance you may have been given infected blood. Today, all blood donated in the UK is screened using very vigorous safety standards.
Given the time that has elapsed since the last use of infected blood products, most of those who were directly affected have been identified and started appropriate treatment. However, there may be a small number of patients where this is not the case, and particularly where they are living with asymptomatic hepatitis C.
If you are concerned about a possible hepatitis C infection, you can book a home NHS test online. The tests are free and confidential. To receive a self-testing kit which can be quickly dispatched to your home visit: hepctest.nhs.uk.
HIV testing is also provided to anyone free of charge on the NHS. Home testing and home sampling kits are also available. You can find out more about HIV testing and the HIV testing services search tool on the NHS website.
Since 1991, all blood donated in the UK is screened and distributed by NHS blood and transplant following rigorous safety standards and testing to protect both donors and patients: more details about the safety of blood from donations in England.