Infected blood: quick, practical advice you can use

Worried you were exposed to infected blood? That spike of panic is normal. Infected blood means blood carrying a pathogen — most commonly HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) or harmful bacteria. This page tells you what signs to watch for, what tests matter, and the exact steps to take right away.

What to watch for

Symptoms vary by infection and can show up right away or weeks later. Watch for fever, chills, sweating, tiredness, sore throat, swollen glands, unexplained bruising or bleeding, stomach pain, dark urine or yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice). Bacterial infection from contaminated blood can cause sudden fever and feeling very unwell. Don’t wait for symptoms — some infections are silent at first.

If you had a needle stick, an accident during a medical procedure, or a transfusion from an unregulated source, treat the exposure as real until tests say otherwise. Keep a record of where and when it happened and any blood unit numbers or clinic details.

What to do after possible exposure

1) Act fast. For possible HIV exposure, seek medical help immediately. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can reduce the chance of infection but must start within 72 hours.

2) Get baseline tests. Ask for HIV (antigen/antibody and/or RNA), HBV surface antigen and antibody, and HCV antibody and RNA if available. If you already have vaccine protection for hepatitis B, tell the clinician.

3) Follow the testing schedule. Standard follow-up might be at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6–12 months depending on tests used and local guidelines. For HIV, modern tests can detect infection earlier; RNA tests detect virus days to weeks sooner than antibody tests. HCV antibody can take 8–11 weeks to appear; RNA shows infection earlier. Your clinician will guide timing.

4) Start vaccinations or treatments if needed. If you’re not immune to hepatitis B, you may be offered the vaccine or immunoglobulin. If HCV is detected, direct-acting antivirals cure most people. If HIV is diagnosed, immediate antiretroviral therapy improves outcomes and reduces spread.

5) Report and get support. Tell the treating facility and local health authorities about unsafe practices. Seek counseling — the stress after exposure is real, and local clinics or NGOs can help with testing, treatment and emotional support.

Prevention matters: use regulated blood banks, insist on screened blood, refuse unsafe injections, and use single-use needles. If you’re getting care in a new place, ask staff whether blood is screened for HIV, HBV and HCV and whether needles are single-use.

If you need help finding testing or treatment services in your area, contact a local clinic or national health hotline. Acting quickly after exposure and following testing advice gives you the best chance to avoid long-term harm.