BBVs

'It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.'

Blood borne viruses are a risk for those who use many different types of drug, especially those who inject. Just because you don't inject drugs, doesn't mean you are not at risk. These viruses can be spread through sex with others, and even the sharing of pipes. What do we need to know . . . 

• A brief history of HIV
• A brief history of Hepatitis C
• What is HIV and what is Hepatitis C?
• What is the difference between Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C?
• Can blood borne viruses be treated, and if so, how?
• What are the potential routes of transmission?
• What are the myths about the ways blood borne viruses can be transmitted?
• Basic safer injecting advice
• What do we mean by safer sex, and why is it important in respect of people who struggle with their substance use?

In many respects a companion piece to the Needle Exchange workshop, this workshop is intended to give some awareness around blood borne viruses along with the requisite harm minimisation advice.