Hepatitis C Hepatitis C

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1 Hepatitis C NHS Dumfries & Galloway would like to acknowledge NHS Greater Glasgow for the use of information contained in this leaflet. This leaflet is also available on request in other formats by phoning Produced by Public Health, NHS Dumfries & Galloway Mar 2004 Updated Feb BLT 062

2 What is Hepatitis C? Where can I get help and Advice? Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can cause inflammation of the liver. It is spread by blood-to-blood contact, which means that blood containing the virus gets into Murray s Chemist Dumfries Needle Exchange 35 Galloway Street Tel Tel Moss Chemist 97 King Street, Castle Douglas Tel The Wigtown Pharmacy 20 North Main Street, Wigtown Tel Whithorn Pharmacy 67 St. John Street, Whithorn Tel Newton Stewart Health Centre 2-4pm Mon, Wed, Thurs. someone else s bloodstream. You can have hepatitis C without having had hepatitis A or B. There are 6 different types of hepatitis C and it is possible to have more than one type at the same time. Environmental Health can offer advice to proprietors and users of services/treatments where there is potential for the transmission of bloodborne viruses e.g. Tattooing, Acupuncture, Embalming/undertaking, Beauty treatments, Hair dressing and Body/skin piercing. Environmental Health Headquarters Division Environmental Health Annan Tel Tel Environmental Health Dumfries Division Environmental Health Stranraer Tel Tel Environmental Health Kirkcudbright Division Tel Department of Family Planning & Sexual Health Nithbank, Dumfries DG1 2SD Direct Dial (9am-4pm) 24 hours answer machine available fp&sh@dg-primarycare.scot.nhs.uk Enquiries and appointments Tel Telephone Helpline Mon Fri between 1pm - 2pm Mobile Tel Free confidential information, counselling, free condoms and femidoms available to men and women of all ages. C card service provides free condoms to the under 20 s. For details of your local clinic contact

3 Where can I get help and Advice? How can hepatitis C affect me? British Liver Trust Portman House, 44 High Street, Ringford BH24 1AG info@britishlivertrust.org C-Level Advice, information and support for people affected by or at risk of hepatitis C. 268 Bath Street, Glasgow. G2 4JR Claire@c-level.org Know the score Service providing free & confidential advice/info about drugs & drug misuse Information line: The National Hepatitis C Resource Centre PO Box 13844, London. SE11 4DT Tel Advice line Mon, Wed, Fri 12pm-3pm advice.info@hep-ccentre.com The UK Hepatitis C Centre Scotland Tel admin@hepcscotland.org.uk NHS Dumfries & Galloway Health Protection Team Tel paula.murray2@nhs.net Liz Scotney - Bloodborne Virus Nurse Tel or elizabeth.scotney@nhs.net NHS Dumfries & Galloway Occupational Health and Health Service Nithbank, Dumfries. DG1 2SD Tel Needle Exchange Drug Treatment Services Cameron House, 1 Nithbank, Dumfries. DG1 2RZ Tel. Dumfries / Stranraer Needle Exchange Outreach Worker Tel. John Turning Point Tel. Stranraer Kirkcudbright Annan Hepatitis C can affect people quite differently. Some people might get rid of the virus completely and have no problems. For others having hepatitis C will cause some mild health problems. But others will develop serious liver problems later in life.

4 How is hepatitis C passed on? Blood to blood contact is the most common way. Blood and blood products were a significant source of infection in the past. In the UK, all health professionals are required to follow strict procedures when caring for any patient. It is completely safe to donate blood in the UK. Also, in the UK, blood and organ donors are tested for Hep C. This means it is now extremely rare to become infected with Hepatitis C through receiving healthcare in the UK. Through sharing drug injecting equipment Equipment used to take drugs, such as syringes, needles, filters, spoons, water, mirrors and straws, can have blood on or in them after use, which you might not be able to see even after cleaning. If someone with hepatitis C uses any of the equipment, the virus can be passed on to the next person who uses it. Sharing personal items Items such as razors and toothbrushes may have small amounts of blood on them after use from cuts or bleeding gums. Sharing these personal items means that hepatitis C could be passed on. By having sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus), without using a condom Although not common, it is possible to get hepatitis C from sex; this is more likely if the person with hepatitis C also has HIV. Accidental stabbing with infected needles (needlestick injury) If you are injured by a used needle, it is important not to suck or scrub the wound. Squeeze it gently to encourage bleeding, wash gently with soap and water and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Can hepatitis C be treated? Treatment is increasingly effective, but most people with hepatitis C do not require urgent treatment. Regular checkups including blood tests may be advised by the specialist. A combination of interferon alfa and ribavirin are currently the most widely prescribed treatments, but they are not suitable for everyone with hepatitis C interferon is given by injection, usually on a weekly basis, while ribavirin capsules are taken orally twice a day. Both of these will usually be taken for between 6-12 months. On completion treatment is successful in 50% to 70% of people, depending on the type of hepatitis C infection.

5 How do I know if I am infected? You can t tell by looking at someone if they have hepatitis C. The majority of people do not know that they are infected because they do not feel ill and have very few, if any symptoms. A blood test is the only way to be sure that you do not have hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is testing Drug treatment services, Drug and Alcohol Problem Services, Cameron House, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, specialist Dug and Alcohol team and Turning point can arrange a test for you. You will be given the chance to speak to a trained professional about any concerns that you may have before and after testing even if the result is negative. Your own GP should also be able to discuss a hepatitis C test with you. Bloodborne Virus nurse/ advisor can also advise about obtaining hepatitis C test. A blood sample will be taken and a test carried out to look for hepatitis C antibodies. If the test is positive, this means that currently you have, or at some point in the past, have had, hepatitis C. A second test is then done to see if you still have the hepatitis C virus. If this second test is positive you will be offered a referral to a hospital specialist for advice on treatment. From a mother to her baby at birth There is a small risk that hepatitis C can be passed from mother to baby at the time of birth. This is more likely if the mother also has HIV. Tattooing/Piercing/Acupuncture Needles/pins/sharp objects may have small amounts of blood on them after use, so hepatitis C could be passed on if the equipment is used on more than one person. Hepatitis C is not passed on through ordinary social contact such as: - Sneezing Hugging Coughing Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses. Your own GP should be able to discuss a hepatitis C test with you. It can take about 2 to 3 weeks to get the results.

6 How can I prevent infection? There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but you can take steps to reduce your chances of becoming infected. Safer Drug Use If you inject drugs, use a new needle and syringe each time and never share these items, or any of the other equipment you use to take drugs (water, spoons, filters, straws etc.) with anyone else, no matter how well you know them. Keep your equipment for your personal use and clean or replace it frequently. Sharing any of these items, even once, may be enough to give you hepatitis C. New needles are available free of charge at needles exchanges (details at the end of this leaflet). Get rid of your used needles carefully. Make use of the sharps or cin bins available at needle exchanges, or place used needles in a drinks can before putting in a bin (details at the end of this leaflet). when you have penetrative sex. Using condoms/femidoms also protects you from other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Condoms and femidoms are available free from the Department of Family Planning and Sexual Health. In addition condoms are also available to those under 20 through the C-Card Service. (details at the end of this leaflet). Other Precautions Always clean up blood spills with household bleach Cover all cuts/grazes with a plaster Use gloves when administering any first aid Only have body piercing and tattoos done by professionals who use sterile equipment Don t share personal items Items such as razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers should be kept for your own personal use. If someone else uses any of your personal items replace them without reusing. Safer Sex The risk of getting hepatitis C from having unprotected sex is low, but it is possible. The only way to be safe is to practise safer sex, which means using condoms or femidoms (female condoms inserted within the vagina)