Blood borne viruses can affect people from all walks of life:
people who received blood transfusions/ blood products before 1991
vertical transmission (mother-to-baby) although the risk is low
people born in countries of high prevalence e.g South East Asia, China, sub-Saharan Africa and the Amazon Basin Eastern and Southern Europe, the Middle East: or those who travelled and received dental or medical treatment in these areas
people who have injected or used illicit drugs and shared ’works’ even once - needles, spoons, notes, straws, pans etc.
unprotected sexual intercourse. Those at a higher risk are men who have sex with men (MSM), depending on sexual practices and the use of ‘party-drugs’
people who have had tattoos or piercings in unlicensed parlours
individuals who inject image-enhancing drugs (steroids)
patients presenting with abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) in their blood tests, could be have possibly been at risk at some point, so it is advisable to test for BBVs.
People who have undergone cosmetic procedures e.g. Botox, Fillers, Microblading performed by unlicensed practitioners or practitioners who use unsterile equipment
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