To wonder why this would be requested by doctors

[Tootsey11]

Can anyone give advice, Dp has received a request from haematology in local hospital for bloods. They want to test his immunity to hepatitis c and b and hiv. He has said he has no idea why.

Has anyone ever had to get their immunity checked for these, what reason was it done.

My mind is doing overtime.

None of the rest of your list apply to him.

I have haemochromosis and was tested for hepatitis as part of the diagnosis and screening. They are strongly connected. I can't recall being tested for HIV but can't be certain I wasn't.

Hopefully someone with medical knowledge will post soon but I wouldn't necessarily think it was anything under than standard at this point.

Don’t panic, it’s very common for haematologists to request a viral screen. We do screen regularly for hep b/c and hiv at work. I’m a doctor, this seems pretty routine to me.

If it’s Haematology it’s likely to be that one of his white blood cells counts is out of range. Viral infections such as those listed can cause this so testing is common in this scenario.

That does make more sense, there were abnormalities in a blood test that are being followed up rather than just a random letter.

Those tests are now (or should be) part of the routine. In my previous job the routine was if we ordered a test for auto immune/diabetes/ fbc etc. ( that was an oral medicine clinic, but I’m assuming most specialities are the same) then we’d order for any viruses or infections that could impact so actually this sounds reasonable. I read your op as a letter from nowhere. I wouldn’t worry too much just now.

My dad, also a wagon driver had all of this. His worst problem was high b.p... he has white coat syndrome. Hope all turns out well

It's his red that is out. Wbc is fine.

My worry is it is me who is always unwell, he is generally fine. I have never got to the bottom of it, and doctors no help. I know that some people can have hepatitis with no symptoms, others not so lucky.

Are you worrying that you might have hepatitis or HIV now?

Sounds like they are just ruling it out for your DP. If you are worried, you can ask for a blood test too, either via GP or sexual health clinic. Sexual health clinic would be quicker, you could probably find a walk in place tomorrow.

Yes, due to his past behaviour.

He has obviously had a recent bloody test if the doctor is aware he had red blood count, so it is possible the phlebotomist/nurse/doctor who took that sample had a needle stick injury and this is follow up testing due to that? Only way to find out is for your husband to phone and ask why they want to do a blood borne virus screen.

@Tootsey11

Yes, due to his past behaviour.

This changes things. I’m assuming the past behaviour is cheating/lying?

Is it possible he’s being tested for those things for other reasons and he’s not giving you the true version of events?

@Tootsey11

Yes, due to his past behaviour.

That changes things. Have you had a hiv/hepatitis screen?

I was tested for them and some other infectious diseases (Epstein Barr was one) when my GP was investigating why I had unexplained inflammation

@Herejustforthisone, yes possible. He says he doesn't know why they are testing and he can't remember anything the Gp says.

I haven't had any screening for these.

Has he ever been an IV drug user? That would also trigger those tests.

(I also work in Pathology - there are a lot of us about )

I don't know the answer OP. However if he has high red blood cells maybe it is polycythemia rubra Vera? NHS information is here:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycythaemia/

It says that a possible treatment is hydroxycarbamide. Think this reduces production of blood cells.

Maybe the thinking is that it wouldn't be a good idea to suppress blood cell production if a person has an infection like hep b or c or HIV. As white cells help fight infection.

Not saying this is it - only the person who requested the tests can say- but this could be something to ask about.

I was in the hospital and they routinely done Heb B and C tests and asked if they could do a HIV test too

I got summoned to hospital to be checked for hepatitis C because one of the staff who had been present at one of my C sections had subsequently been diagnosed with it. So there was a mass recall of all women who had had contact with this person.

To me it sounds like they can see something in your DHs blood results and they want to do the proposed tests to rule other things out

Has he been to the dentist or had a vaccine recently? It could be that the person administering the vaccine/needle has had a needle stick injury?

No dentist or vaccines recently.

I'm hoping this is just standard practice as suggested by a few pp posters. 6 week wait till appointment.

Ah, he’s had abnormal bloods come back. A high RBC can indicate a number of things, including issues related to the heart and bone marrow. I suspect there is something else that’s come back a bit odd or he has shared with them about his symptoms. They are keen to rule things out (like I said I’ve been tested for Hep B and C for similar reasons). Does he drink too much? Use any other substances? Any other health issues?

Apart from that, if you are worried about past behaviour, get yourself tested for peace of mind. HIV and Hep B/C are very low prevalence in the heterosexual population in the UK (I work in sexual health), so very unlikely to be acquired by cheating, if that’s what worries you. But we should all look after our sexual health.

HIV & Hepatitis screen is routinely requested to investigate a High white cell count (which is part of a full blood count)

A 6 week wait though is quite strange. I get bloods like this done quite often. Usually they send the script and I book an appointment and they can see me within a couple days at the hospital. But if he’s concerned, he can get them all done at the sexual health clinic or order a self-sampling kit to do at home and then results usually come back in 2 weeks.