GOSHH

As it is World Hepatitis Day this week i thought i would write a little something to clue you all up to the changes in screening, treatment and support available around Hepatitis C.

Hep C is not one of the things generally tested for in a sexual health screen and as there is no vaccination, its a good idea to get checked if:

- You have ever snorted cocaine and shared the toot (cone, straw)
- You have ever had a home (or prison) piercing, brand or tattoo
- You have ever engaged in blood letting play during sexual activity
- You have ever had a partner or household member who was living with Hep C
- You have ever had medical care abroad that included injections (especially in high endemic countries)
- You are a man who has (or has had) sex with men (or trans* women with penis)
- You have had a sexual partner from a high endemic country
- You have ever injected a drug, heroin, crystal meth, speed, steroids, etc and shared any part of the injecting equipment
with someone else
- You are living with HIV
- You have received infected blood products during surgery or blood transfusion

WHO (World Health Organisation) states that High Endemic Areas are:
Bahrain
Cyprus
Iran, Islamic Republic of
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syrian Arab Republic
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Afghanistan
Djibouti
Egypt
Iraq
Morocco
Pakistan
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen
Albania
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Georgia
Kyrgyzstan
Poland
Romania
Slovakia
Tajikistan
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Yugoslavia
Belarus
Estonia
Hungary
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Republic of Moldova
Russian Federation
Ukraine

Other people state that High Endemic Countries are:
Algeria
Angola
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Liberia
Madagascar
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Niger
Nigeria
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Togo
Botswana
Burundi
Central African Republic
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Rwanda
South Africa
Swaziland
Uganda
United Republic of Tanzania
Zambia
Zimbabwe

And yet others state that High Endemic countries also include:
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Grenada
Guyana
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Panama
Paraguay
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Bolivia
Ecuador
Guatemala
Haiti
Nicaragua
Peru

So wherever you go, if you are travelling it is possible that you have come into contact with HCV.

Firstly let me tell you that there is now a cure for Hep C. It is one tablet a day for 12 weeks and is being rolled out across Ireland in an attempt to eliminate Hep C by 2030.

Secondly let me tell you that there are no symptoms for Hep C for many years. Hep C is a virus that affects the liver. Hep (liver) atitis (swelling) and over time it can cause scarring to the liver which reduces the liver function and ultimately (after many years) can cause liver failure if left untreated. The good news is, that it is easy to detect with the right test, and the liver is able to recover from damage if it is caught and cured early enough. Plus, if you are living with Hep C there are things you can do to minimise the risk of developing liver cirrhosis (scarring).

We offer a comprehensive free testing and support program:
- Rapid Hep C Test (5 minute result finger prick test for HCV antibodies)
- Referal for follow on test (HCV viral PCR)
- Peer support network of PLWHCV (people living with Hep C)
- Personal support from a support worker
- Counselling

If you are thinking of getting tested juts remember that you will need to ask specifically for the test. Whether it be at a doctor or an STI / GUM / IDC clinic, unless you state you have been sharing works for injecting drug use or are presenting as jaundice, HCV tests are not standard practice.

Comments and questions are always welcome.

Good luck!
Billie