Hepatitis C is a virus that lives in blood and affects the liver. If left untreated hepatitis C can lead to serious liver disease or liver cancer. It is common in Australia with over 200,000 living with hepatitis C. Blood tests will confirm whether a person has contracted hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C lives in the blood. It can be passed from one person whose blood has the hepatitis C virus to another person whose blood does not have the virus.
Hepatitis C is NOT passed on by touching, kissing, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sharing food or bathrooms.
Many people with hepatitis C may not be aware they have it for many years. However the there are some symptoms to be aware of such as: Tiredness and lacking energy, or sleep problems, Flu-like symptoms which come and go, Mood swings, anxiety and depression. See your doctor to discuss these symptoms, as they may be indicative of other problems.
Getting cured of hepatitis C not only reduces the risk of liver failure or liver cancer, it can improve people’s quality of life and return them to their families.
There are simple, safe and effective new treatments that can cure hepatitis C. A course of tablets, taken daily for between 8 to 24 weeks, will cure hepatitis C for almost everyone who takes the treatment. The tablets have little or no side effects. See your doctor about getting tested and treated for hepatitis C.
This simple, effective cure for hepatitis C is now affordable as it is listed on the government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means that everyone with a Medicare card can have the hepatitis C medication for free although there is a small cost to collect the tablets at the pharmacy.
See your doctor or call the National Hepatitis information line on 1800 437 222. If you need language assistance call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
