Hepatitis SA

Hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. A number of people will experience no symptoms, while others will experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to scarring of the liver and serious liver disease.

There are six main strains, or genotypes, of hepatitis C - genotypes 1 to 6. Each of these genotypes contain numerous subtypes identified by letters such as genotype 1a, 1b and 3a etc. The prevalence of genotypes vary between countries. The main genotypes found in Australia are genotype 1 and genotype 3.

The hepatitis C virus is transmitted by blood-to-bloodstream contact. Infection occurs when blood with hepatitis C virus gets into the bloodstream of another person. The hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body for up to six weeks at room temperature on inanimate surfaces, and remain infectious during this time.

Even if you have hepatitis C, or have had it in the past, you can still be re-infected. You can become infected with different strains and experience another acute stage of infection.

There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.

In Australia, the most common ways of getting hepatitis C are:

sharing injecting equipment.
tattooing or body piercing with unsterilised equipment.
non-sterile medical or dental injections or other procedures in countries of high incidence.
receiving a blood transfusion before 1990 (from 1990 screening tests became available and all blood products in Australia are now screened for hepatitis C).

You cannot get hepatitis C from:

hugging and kissing.
tears or sneezes.
sharing cups, plates, clothes, food, drinks, showers or toilets.
eating food prepared by, or shared with, a person with hepatitis C.
mosquito bites.

Hepatitis C is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Hepatitis C is not classified as a STI. There is only a risk of transmission when there is potential for blood-to-bloodstream contact during sex. The risk of this contact may increase when an STI such as herpes is present. There may also be an increased risk of blood-to-bloodstream contact during rough sex, anal sex or when a woman has her period.

Mother-to-baby transmission

The risk of mother-to-baby transmission of hepatitis C is less than five per cent unless the mother is also infected with HIV. Women with hepatitis C are encouraged to have natural births and to breastfeed, unless they have cracked nipples.

Protecting yourself from hepatitis C:

Do not share injecting equipment including tourniquet, spoons and filters. Use new and sterile injecting equipment for each injection.
Avoid tattooing and piercing where equipment is not sterilised.
Avoid dental and cosmetic procedures where equipment is not sterilised.
When undergoing cultural rituals where blood is involved, ensure all equipment is sterilised and no blood to bloodstream contact occurs.
In sport, follow the Blood Rule.
Practise safe sex (use a condom).
Avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors, needles, syringes, personal hygiene items and grooming aids or any object that may come into contact with blood or body fluids.
Cover all cuts and open sores with a plaster or bandage.
Follow standard precautions when handling blood spills:
- Wash hands after touching blood or body fluids.
- Wear disposable gloves if giving someone first aid, or cleaning up blood or body fluids.
- Wipe up any blood spills and then clean the area with household bleach.
- Throw away personal items such as tissues, menstrual pads, tampons and bandages in a sealed plastic bag.

Disclosure:

In South Australia, 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, organs or tissues
asked when applying for life or health insurance
asked when participating in combat sports such as mixed martial arts.

Until recently, the presence of hepatitis C virus in the blood is detected with a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test on blood samples.

Nowadays hepatitis C rapid tests are available at selected locations around Australia. These diagnostic tests require only a drop of blood collected via a fingerstick, giving results within an hour. These tests can be given at the point of care, without the need to send samples to laboratories.

To find out if hepatitis C rapid tests are available near you, call Hepatitis SA on 1800 437 222. If you are interstate, call your local hepatitis organisation. Read on for information on current conventional hepatitis C testing.

There are highly effective cures for hepatitis C with an over 95% success rate, and little or no side effects. Re-treatment options can bring success rates close to 100%. These drugs, known as direct acting antivirals, are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This map shows pharmacies which have either dispensed or were prepared to dispense the new hepatitis C medicines. Not all community pharmacies are able to stock or dispense these drugs and decisions to participate may also change over time.

If you are thinking of starting hepatitis C treatment, you may find the following information resources helpful.