HEPATITIS C

What is it?

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral infection that affects the liver. It may possibly be transmitted by sexual contact, but more often through sharing needles or unsafe tattooing. 

How do you get it?

You can get hepatitis C through contact with infected blood, sharing needles, syringes and via equipment used during tattooing or body piercing and, possibly, through sexual contact.

You can also get it with a blood transfusion in countries that do not pre-test blood for transfusion (New Zealand does pre-test for transfusions.) Other risk factors are if you have had a blood transfusion before 1992, have lived or received health in South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East or Eastern Europe, spent any time in prison, or have lived in close contact with a person diagnosed with hepatitis C.

Symptoms

Although there are often no symptoms with hepatitis C, symptoms can include tiredness, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (rarely), dark urine, fevers, mild flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain and nausea.

Is it serious?

Hepatitis C is a liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness if left untreated, that attacks the liver causing damage or sometimes cancer.

How do you get tested?

Testing for hepatitis C involves two steps. The first step is an Anti-HCV test to check if there are any antibodies present in your blood, and can therefore confirm whether you have ever been in contact with the virus. A second test is required to check if the virus is currently present in your blood.

Needle exchange depots, some community providers and some pharmacies also offer point of care testing for Hepatitis C antibodies. This is a quick and easy finger-prick test. Check locations that provide this service in your area via this link: Stick it to Hep C

Treatment

The main aim of treatment for hepatitis C is to cure the infection, and if possible, to stop the virus from damaging your liver.

For most people Hepatitis C is easily treated with an 8 week oral course of an antiviral medication called Marivet. It provides a cure rate of up to 98% for those who have not been previously treated for Hepatitis C. Management also includes getting enough rest, exercise, and eating a well balanced, low-fat diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Alcohol and using intravenous drugs should be avoided. 

Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about treatment options as there are some situations when Marivet may not be suitable.

Prevention

Currently there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The best way to prevent it is by avoiding behaviours that can spread the disease, especially not sharing drug-injecting equipment. Condoms used correctly every time you have sex from start to finish will provide some protection from hepatitis C and offer good protection from many other sexually transmitted infections.

It is important to note that having had hepatitis C in the past does not give protection against getting Hepatitis C in the future. For those that have been previously treated a blood test is still required if there is concerns of a new infection.

Telling your sexual partner/s

If you have hepatitis C it is important you tell your sexual and needle-sharing partners to have a blood test to check for hepatitis C antibodies.