3H Screening (HIV, HBsAg & HCV)

What is 3H?

3H is a screening panel for three major blood-borne viral infections:

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
• HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen)
• HCV (Hepatitis C Virus)

These infections mainly affect the immune system and liver and are commonly transmitted through blood, sexual contact or from mother to child. The 3H test is widely used in hospitals, blood banks, pre-operative evaluations, pregnancy care, employment medical checkups and blood donation screening.

Purpose: Early detection, prevention of disease progression, reduced transmission risk and improved patient and healthcare worker safety.

When is the 3H Test Done?

The test is commonly recommended:

• Before surgery or invasive procedures
• During pregnancy (antenatal screening)
• Blood donation screening
• Employment or overseas travel medical checkups
• After accidental needle-stick injury
• Following high-risk exposure (unprotected sex, IV drug use)
• For unexplained liver disease or abnormal liver function tests

Common Symptoms

HIV

• Fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue, weight loss
• Recurrent infections
• Night sweats

Hepatitis B & C

• Fatigue and weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
• Dark urine, pale stools
• Right upper abdominal pain

Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.

Tests Included

Initial Screening

• HIV 1 & 2 Antibody/Antigen Test
• HBsAg
• Anti-HCV Antibody

If Positive, Further Tests May Include

• HIV Viral Load and CD4 Count
• HBV DNA
• HCV RNA (PCR)
• Liver Function Tests (LFT)

These help determine the stage of disease and guide treatment.

Prevention

• Do not share needles, razors or syringes.
• Use sterile medical and dental equipment.
• Ensure screened blood transfusions.
• Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
• Follow proper handling of blood and body fluids.
• Seek immediate medical evaluation after accidental exposure.

Treatment 

HIV Vaccination

• Lifelong Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) suppresses the virus and maintains immune function.
• With proper treatment, people can live a near-normal life expectancy.
• No approved HIV vaccine is currently available.

Hepatitis B

• Treated with antiviral medications such as Tenofovir and Entecavir.
• Requires regular liver monitoring.
• A safe and highly effective vaccine is available, usually given in 3 doses (0, 1, and 6 months).
• Recommended for newborns, healthcare workers, pregnant women, high-risk individuals and patients needing frequent blood transfusions.

Hepatitis C

• Treated with Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs).
• Cure rates exceed 95%, with treatment lasting 8–12 weeks.
• No approved vaccine is currently available. Prevention focuses on avoiding exposure to infected blood and using sterile equipment.

Conclusion

The 3H test (HIV, HBsAg and HCV) is an important preventive screening tool that helps detect serious infections early, often before symptoms appear. Early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes, reduces transmission and protects both patients and healthcare workers. While HIV and Hepatitis B are manageable with treatment, Hepatitis C is now highly curable with modern antiviral therapy, making early screening especially valuable.