Everyone aged 16 and over who has a blood test at Surrey Lodge Group Practice will now also be tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Early diagnosis saves lives — treatment is free on the NHS, helps you stay healthy, and prevents these infections from being passed on.
If you do not wish to be tested, please let a member of staff know. Your results will always be confidential.
Why we test
HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viruses carried in the blood. Many people who have them don’t have symptoms and may not know they are infected.
Testing means you can:
- Get treatment early if needed
- Prevent serious illness
- Protect your partners and family
How these viruses affect your health
- HIV affects your immune system. If diagnosed late, it can shorten life expectancy by about 15 years.
- Hepatitis B and hepatitis C attack the liver and can cause scarring (cirrhosis) or liver cancer over time.
Treatment can prevent these problems and help you stay well.
Can they be passed on?
Yes. These viruses can be passed through:
- Unprotected sex
- Contact with infected blood (for example, sharing needles)
If you are diagnosed and follow treatment, you can stop the virus from being passed on. Family and household contacts of people with hepatitis B can be offered a vaccine for protection.
Treatment and care
- HIV: Managed with daily tablets. Most people live long, healthy lives.
- Hepatitis C: Can now be cured with tablets taken for 8–12 weeks.
- Hepatitis B: Some people need medication; others just need regular check‑ups.
Receiving your results
- If your test is reactive (provisionally positive), we will contact you directly to arrange an appointment and discuss next steps.
- If you do not hear from us within 28 days, your tests were most likely negative.
- You can also check your results in the nhs.uk (they should appear within 28 days).
If your results are missing or you have questions, please contact us using our Accurx form.
If your test is positive
You will be referred quickly for specialist care:
- HIV: Hathersage Centre, Oxford Road Campus
- Hepatitis B: Hepatology or infectious diseases team
- Hepatitis C: Hepatology or the NHS Hepatitis C Elimination Pathway
Our clinicians will support you through your next steps.
The “window period”
After infection, it can take time for these viruses to show up on a test:
- HIV and hepatitis B: 6 – 12 weeks
- Hepatitis C: up to 6 months
If you think you’ve recently been at risk, please ask for another test later at Surrey Lodge or your local sexual health service.