Just The Facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections

HEPATITIS C

What is it?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It may possibly be transmitted by sexual contact, but more often through sharing needles or unsafe tattooing. 

How do you get it?

You can get hepatitis C through contact with infected blood, sharing needles, syringes and any other equipment and, possibly, through sexual contact. You can also get it with a blood transfusion in countries that do not pre-test blood for transfusion. (New Zealand does pre-test for transfusions.)


Symptoms

Although there are often no symptoms with hepatitis C, symptoms can include tiredness, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (rarely), dark urine, mild flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain and nausea.

Is it serious?

Hepatitis C is a liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness that attacks the liver causing damage or sometimes cancer.

How do you get tested?

Testing for hepatitis C involves two steps. The first step is an Anti-HCV test to check if there are any antibodies present in your blood, and can therefore confirm whether you have ever been in contact with the virus. A second test is required to check if the virus is currently present in your blood.

Treatment

Hepatitis C is treated with rest, exercise, and eating a well balanced, low-fat diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Alcohol and using intravenous drugs should be avoided. Some antiviral treatments are now available. Talk to your nurse or doctor about these.

Prevention

Currently there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The best way to prevent it is by avoiding behaviours that can spread the disease, especially not sharing drug-injecting equipment. Condoms used correctly every time you have sex from start to finish will provide some protection from hepatitis C and offer good protection from many other sexually transmitted infections.

Telling your sexual partner/s

If you have hepatitis C it is important you tell your sexual and needle-sharing partners to have a blood test to check for hepatitis C antibodies.

For more information go to the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand.
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