By Linda McInnes

Editor/Administrator
Australian Hepatitis C Support
www.hepcaustralia.com.au

As it is Hepatitis C Awareness Week, I thought it needs to be brought to the attention of the public that Hepatitis C is not just a disease that Drug Injecting Users contract.

Hepatitis C is a blood to blood virus, anyone that has had a tattoo, been in a fight, a victim of domestic violence, had a blood transfusion etc before 1992 or had a needle stick injury may also contract the virus.

I myself contracted hepatitis C from being in a domestic violent relationship with a drug user, the exchange of blood from the beatings was how it happened. So if there are any women/men out there that are being abused, they should get tested for hepatitis C.

This is also a warning to anyone that has been in a fight to get tested for hepatitis C.

Blood tests for this disease are not in the standard blood tests that doctors request, this test must be requested specifically by the doctor.

Some of the symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and abdominal pain but some people do not have any symptoms at all.

The standard of care treatment at this time is Interferon/Ribavirin, which consists of an injection once a week and also some tablets taken every day. Some people clear the virus and obtain a sustained viral response (SVR) but others do not, this also depends on which genotype that you are. Genotype 1 is the hardest to treat and Genotype 3 supposedly being the easiest.

There are reasons why some people should treat, one being that they may have fibrosis of the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis or a liver transplant.

If anyone is in doubt and would like any information there are Hepatitis C Councils in each state of Australia that offer support.

The stigma against people with hepatitis C must stop - it could be YOU.

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