Hepatitis C Hepatitis C (HVC) virus is a bloodborne disease.
How do people get hepatitis C?
- Injecting drugs or sharing injecting gear.
- Tattooing, ear piercing, body piercing (there may be a risk if equipment is not properly sterilised).
- Infection of cuts and scratched directly from an infected person’s cuts and scratched – this is rare.
- Sexual intercourse – this is rare.
How do you know if you’ve got hepatitis C, or if you’ve had it?You can tell by having a blood test. Acute hepatitis C is a mild infection and three quarters of those infected will have no symptoms, however, you might have one or more of these symptoms:
- nausea (feeling like vomiting) and vomiting
- jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
- dark urine (pee, mimi)
- pale bowel motions (poo, tūtae)
- feeling unwell
- no energy
- no hunger
- sore upset stomach
- aches and pains.
Some people do not get unwell when they catch hepatitis C. Talk to your doctor if you think you are at risk of HCV. At least 80% of people infected remain chronic carriers of HCV. Many of these carriers will go on to develop chronic liver disease.
How do I know if I am a carrier? You can have a blood test if you think you may be at risk. HCV is not passed on through blood transfusions, because blood donated in New Zealand has been tested for the virus since 1992.
To prevent the spread of hepatitis C
Advice for carriers:
- don’t share toothbrushes, razors, face cloths, towels
- don’t share needles or other injecting gear – you could re-infect yourself, as well as infecting others
- do not donate blood.
Ask your doctor about:
- alcohol harming your liver
- infection risks during pregnancy and birth
- treatment options
- hepatitis B and hepatitis A immunisations.
There is no vaccine for immunisation against HCV. Hepatitis C is an illness that your doctor notifies to the public health medicine specialist in your local Health Protection Unit.
More informationFor more information on hepatitis C please ask your doctor or call the Health Protection Unit on ( (07) 838 2569).
|
