Hepatitis C

Your liver filters blood, processes nutrients and helps the body fight infection.  Any inflammation or damage to the liver can stop it working properly. Hepatitis C Virus (Hep C) can cause long term liver damage, you can catch Hep C by:

• Any history of injecting or snorting recreational drugs
  
  
• Sexual intercourse (especially anal intercourse)
  
  
• During childbirth if mum is already infected
  
  
• Tattooing or body piercing using unclean needles
  
  
• Sharing a razor or toothbrush with someone that is infected
  
  
• Through blood transfusions or organ transplants prior to 1991

You can get tested by visiting your GP or by contacting our Sexual health clinic (Genitourinary Medicine) on +44 1624 650710 to book an appointment.  

If you are told you have a Hep C Infection then you will be referred to the Gastroenterology Team at Noble’s Hospital.  You will need to have some more blood tests and you may need a scan of your liver.  We will then discuss treatment options with you.  Treatment is in the form of tablets, taken over a period of weeks with a 95%^* cure rate and side effects are very rare.

For more information take a look at:

• The Hep C Trust
  Telephone: 020 7089 6221
  
  
• *The World Health Organization

If you think you may have Hep C then please get tested. Please be reassured that it can be cured!