Little Book of Hep C Facts (original design)

The Little Book

of

Hep C Facts

What

1

Hepatitis C is a liver disease.

It is caused by a virus that is found in the blood. Over time this may lead to scarring of the liver and serious disease.

What

2

There are many strains (genotypes) of hepatitis C. The most common genotypes in Australia are 1, 2 and 3.

What

3

It is possible for a person to have more than one strain (genotype) of hepatitis C.

What

Hepatitis C is different to HIV/AIDS. Infection with one of these viruses does not lead to, or protect against, HIV/AIDS

4

Transmission

5

You get hepatitis C when blood carrying the virus enters your bloodstream.

Transmission

6

In Australia the most common way of getting hepatitis C is by sharing any injecting equipment, including needles, spoons, tourniquets and filters.

Transmission

7

You may also get hepatitis C from: • tattooing and body piercing with unsterilised equipment, • blood and blood product transfusions before 1990, when testing for hepatitis C virus in blood products began, • medical, dental and cosmetic procedures using unsterilised

Transmission

8

equipment, particularly in countries where infection control is lax. • cultural and religious rituals where there is blood to blood contact, • contact sports where the blood rule* is not followed. *See http://www.playthebloodrule.com

Transmission

9

Hepatitis C is NOT a sexually transmitted infection. However, when blood is present during sex, there is an increased risk of transmission. Hugging and kissing is ok.

Transmission

10

It’s perfectly OK to share food, drinks, and cutlery with someone who has hepatitis C.

Transmission

11

You can’t catch hepatitis C from toilet seats, mosquitoes or swimming pools.

12

Transmission

The risk of mothers passing hepatitis C to their unborn child is very low. Women who have hepatitis C may safely breastfeed.

Transmission

13

The risk of getting Hepatitis C through sharing toothbrushes, razors, tweezers and clippers is low but it is best not to share such items anyway.

14

Transmission Hepatitis C can be prevented by taking standard infection control* precautions when blood is present.

*See flyer http://bit.ly/firstaid_bloodspills

Symptoms

15

Some people have flu-like symptoms when they are first infected but many people living with hepatitis C have no symptoms.

16

Symptoms

Even for people who do have symptoms, these may not show until 15 years or more after they first got the virus.

Symptoms

17

The most common symptoms of chronic hepatitis C infection are fatigue, lethargy, nausea and discomfort around the liver.

18

How many

Number of Australians estimated to have contracted hepatitis C: ACT

NSW

NT

QLD

4,900

110,000

5,000

64,000

SA

TAS

VIC

WA

15,900

6,900

75,000

27,000

Annual Surveillance Report 2014, Kirby Institute pp 119-123

How many

19

Australia-wide, an estimated quarter of a million people are living with hepatitis C.* About 10,700 are diagnosed each year.

*Source: The Kirby Institute. HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia Annual Surveillance Report 2014. The Kirby Institute; 2014. pp58.

How many

20

Hepatitis C is the leading cause for liver transplants in Australia.

Testing

21

There are two tests for hepatitis C: • Antibody test A positive result means you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus at some time in your life but it may not mean that you still have the virus

Testing

22

• PCR test This is used to detect current hepatitis C infection. A positive result means you have the hepatitis C virus in your body.

The Law

23

Under the law you don’t need to tell if you have hepatitis C unless you are: • a member of, or applying to join, the Australian Defence Force, • a healthcare worker undertaking exposure-prone procedures, e.g. dentist, surgeon, theatre nurse • donating blood,

The Law

24

• asked when applying for life or health insurance, or • asked when participating in combat sports such as mixed martial arts.

The Law

25 It is against the law to refuse people services or treat them differently because they have hepatitis C.

26

Treatment

1 out of 4 people who get hepatitis C can rid their bodies of the virus within 6 to 12 months without treatment.

This does not protect against future infection by the same, or a different genotype of the virus.

Treatment

27

There is no vaccination against hepatitis C.

28

Treatment

Hepatitis C can be cured.

There are highly effective medicines that cure 9 out of 10 people treated for hepatitis C. For information on new treatments call the Hepatitis SA Helpline on1800 437 222.

Treatment

29

People are cured of hepatitis C when the virus cannot be found in their blood with a PCR test 6 months after treatment ends.

There is on-going work on new treatments.

Call 1300 437 222 for more information.

Treatment

30

Even if you have been cured of hepatitis C, you can become infected again. Successful treatment does not protect you against hepatitis C.

Living with...

31

If you have hepatitis C, there is a higher risk of liver damage when you drink alcohol.

32

Living with...

Smoking tobacco can make your liver disease progress faster and longterm use of cannabis has been shown to increase liver scarring in people with hepatitis C*. *Influence of cannabis use on severity of hepatitis C disease, Ishida JH et al, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Jan 2008, 69-75.

Living with...

33

Hepatitis C reduces saliva in your mouth and this may result in unhealthy gums and teeth.

Living with...

34

If you have hepatitis C, getting hepatitis A or B can worsen your liver disease. People with hepatitis C are urged to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Hepatitis SA Helpline • 1800 437 222 Hepatitis SA • hepsa.asn.au PO Box 782 • Kent Town • SA 5071 • May 2016 •