09/09/2026
🩸 Understanding Blood Borne Viruses – learning, testing and challenging myths
Staff at Crisis Skylight Birmingham had the opportunity today to take part in an excellent training day on Understanding Blood Borne Viruses, delivered by James Bradbourne, Senior Trainer at The Hepatitis C Trust .
The training focused particularly on Hepatitis C (Hep C), while also helping us understand more about Hepatitis B and HIV and the ways blood borne viruses can be transmitted.
One of the most valuable parts of the day was challenging some of the myths and stigma that can surround Hep C.
We learned just how important the liver is. It is one of the body’s vital organs, carrying out hundreds of essential functions – including processing nutrients, filtering harmful substances from the blood and helping our bodies function properly.
Hepatitis C attacks the liver and, if left untreated over a long period, can cause serious liver damage. This can include scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and, in some cases, increase the risk of liver cancer.
But there was also a really positive message from the day:
💊 Hepatitis C can be cured.
Modern treatment is remarkably effective. For most people it involves taking antiviral tablets for around 8–12 weeks, with treatment successful in the vast majority of people.
We also learned how straightforward testing can be. Staff were given the opportunity to have a rapid Hep C antibody test during the training – a small finger prick, a drop of blood onto the testing device, and a result within minutes.
An antibody test can tell you whether you have ever been exposed to Hep C. If antibodies are detected, a further test is needed to find out whether the virus is currently present.
For our team, this knowledge really matters.
At Crisis Skylight Birmingham, we work alongside people with many different life experiences, some of whom may have been exposed to blood borne viruses at some point in their lives. Being better informed means we can have more confident, informed and non-judgemental conversations with our members about testing, treatment and looking after their health.
The message we took away was simple:
Know the facts. Challenge the myths. Get tested if you think you may have been exposed. And remember – Hep C is curable.
A huge thank you to James Bradbourne and The Hepatitis C Trust for such an informative and engaging day.
