A Scots health board is searching for an HIV positive patient after a mystery blood sample was found to be infected.
NHS Highland have confirmed they are contacting a small number of people who had their blood work processed at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, in early 2021.
The positive result was discovered during routine testing of a blood sample but medics discovered the person it had been taken from did not have the illness.
The health board have said a “thorough laboratory investigation” has suggested there may have been cross contamination with another unknown sample.
As such, they believe there is a patient living with an undiagnosed HIV infection and wish to offer treatment and support should they wish.
Dr Boyd Peters, NHS Highland’s Medical Director, said: “We are offering an HIV test to patients who had blood samples tested in the laboratory during a similar timeframe via a patient notification exercise (PNE).
“Letters have been sent to those individuals included within the exercise to provide them with specific advice and to offer HIV testing.
“Testing for HIV involves a blood test which is provided free of charge with results available within a couple of days.
“We have a dedicated team of health advisors who will provide practical support, guidance and advice to everyone involved in this process.
“We sincerely apologise for any stress and anxiety this may cause to individual patients and the wider community.”
It is estimated that there are around 500 people living in Scotland who are unaware they have the infection, approximately one in every 10,000 people.
People living with HIV often feel completely healthy for the first five years or so of the infection, and unless tested, are unaware that they are infected.
Diagnosing HIV at this early stage is important as it allows treatment to be started.
Effective treatment that is started early enables people living with HIV to live a long, healthy life, and stops onward transmission.
The Scottish Government aims to eliminate HIV transmission within Scotland by 2030.
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