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Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs)There are a number of viruses that can be transmitted through the sharing of blood from one person to another (or others.). These viruses are often called Blood Borne Viruses or BBVs. Blood can be shared in a number of ways and is not limited to:
For hints on being "blood aware" see issue number 2 of our spasmodic user publication good sTUFf. For information on safe injecting, visit the Better Vein Care/Safe Injecting website. There are a
number of different BBVs that users of illicit drugs need to be
informed about. You can access
heaps of resources on BBVs through our Community Development and
Education staff in Darwin and Alice Springs or by dropping into
our head office at Shop 5, Harry Chan Arcade, 60 Smith Street in Darwin
city (behind old Woolworths). For phone contact details for Darwin and
Alice Springs click
here. At the moment, the office is open on Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday from 12noon to 4pm. You can also
access AIVL resources from the Network
Against Prohibition. NAP have a volunteer peer education team who
are happy to meet up with you for a chat. You can get in touch with
them by calling (08) 8942 0570. We recommend the NAP website
health section for some excellent drug user specific health links. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)Hepatitis B is
a virus that attacks the liver. This is the only blood borne
virus that you can be vaccinated against at this stage. You can be
vaccinated
free of charge at any of the Clinic 34s in your region. You can also
receive the
vaccination from your general practitioner although this may incur a
cost. For
people living in Indigenous communities, the hepatitis B vaccination is
available at your community health clinic. HBV vaccinations are also
available at NTAHC. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)Hepatitis C (HCV) has been diagnosed in over 200,000 people in Australia. Many injecting drug users have been infected with HCV. HCV can be treated and in some instances HCV positive people can clear the virus from their system. HCV is another virus that impacts on the liver and can be fatal in a small number of cases. For the most up-to-date information on Hepatitis C in Australia, visit the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Cares National Hepatitis C Resource Manual. To be tested for HCV, visit your local Clinic 34, your general practitioner or the community health clinic in your community. Remember, if you are having a test for HCV there is a 6-month window period after you are exposed to the virus before it is apparent on the tests used to detect HCV. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)This is the virus that can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV has a window period of three months after you are exposed to the virus before it is apparent on the tests used to detect HIV. For further information about HIV/AIDS, visit the following sites. NTAHC offers a range of support services to people living with HIV/AIDS including a drop-in centre and access to a range of publications and information on HIV/AIDS. This is the website of the National Association of People Living With HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) This is the website of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations. This is the peak body that represents AIDS Councils, drug user organisations, HIV positive peoples' organisations and sex-worker organisations. Confidential testing for HIV is available free of charge at your local Clinic 34. You can also have a HIV test at your local general practitioner but this may incur an expense. People living in Indigenous communities can get a free HIV test at their local community health clinic. Where to get tested?
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