Hepatitis C – What is it, how can you get it and can it be cured?
Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. This virus like hepatitis B affects the liver and therefore, it is important to check if you have ever been infected.
How can you get infected with hepatitis C?
Infections generally happen through contact with an infected person’s blood. This includes through:
• The use of unsterile medical/dental equipment – this is less likely in Australia due to strict infection control practices.
• The reuse of needles including those used for acupuncture, cosmetic procedures and injecting drug use.
• Tattooing where the ink and equipment may be contaminated with blood and the equipment is not sterilised – this includes cosmetic tattooing such as eyebrow tattooing.
• Sharing razors and other personal hygiene equipment such as toothbrushes and nail clippers that may be infected with blood.
People living with hepatitis C generally will not know they have the infection until it starts to cause damage to their liver including cirrhosis and liver cancer – this can take many years. It is important to know that not all people are tested for hepatitis B or hepatitis C when they migrate to Australia. So, it is better to test for the virus through a simple specific blood test.
Where can you get tested?
• All GPs can do the blood test.
• Sexual health clinics and the Queensland Injectors Health Network- QuIHN (www.quihn.org) ph: 1800 172 076. (No Medicare Card required for testing and do not have to be an injecting drug user past or present).
Is there a cure for hepatitis C?
Yes: there is a cure. It is medications for 8 or 12 weeks, with minimal or no side effects.
Where can you get medications to treat hepatitis C?
• All GPs can prescribe medication to cure hepatitis C.
• Specialists and trained nurse practitioners can also prescribe the medication.
• Being cured will not protect you against future infections if you come into contact with infected blood.
ECCQ is currently undertaking research with the Kirby Institute for Point of Care Testing (rapid finger-prick testing) for both hepatitis C and hepatitis B for migrants. If you would like to have this free confidential testing (no Medicare Card required) you can scan the QR code in this article or contact us.
If you would like more information about hepatitis C or hepatitis B or want to find out where you can get tested, please contact us at the Love Health Program at ECCQ on 3844 9166 or email health@eccq.com.au. For information in your language, you can visit our website at www.eccq.com.au/bbv
If you live in Cairns, please contact:
Faith Bassett
Phone: 07 42264769 or mobile 0405123691
Email: faith.bassett@health.qld.gov.au
