What is Hep C?
- Hepatitis is an illness caused by swelling and irritation of the liver.
- Hepatitis can be caused by chemicals, drugs or viral infections. Hepatitis A, B and C are three types of viral hepatitis.
- Most infections occur through exposure to blood from injection drug use and sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood.
- The virus can range from a mild illness to a serious, lifelong illness including liver disease and cancer.
- It's important to get tested and treated for Hep C. You can be tested for Hep C in prison. Talk to a nurse or fill in a self referral form to find out about how to get a test.
- Click here to find out more about the Hep C Dried Blood Spot Test
Stories about Hep C on the inside
Watch this video to listen to some of the stories and advice from men in prison who have been tested and treated for Hep C
Stories of men who have been tested and treated for Hep C in prison video
What are the symptoms?
- Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, dark wee, and yellowing of the eyeballs and skin (jaundice).
- Some people with ongoing hepatitis C will feel well and never develop any of these signs, but they are still infectious and can pass it on to others.
- A small number of people with chronic hepatitis C will have liver failure or cancer of the liver.
People with chronic hepatitis C may feel:
- Fatigue Loss of appetite
- Nausea/vomiting Soreness in the right upper part of the belly Fever or flu like symptoms
- Joint pains
How did I get it?
Hepatitis C is passed on when the blood of an infected person enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person.
Infection can happen through any form of skin penetration with unsterile equipment, including:
- Sharing needles, syringes, spoons, tourniquets and other injecting equipment
- Needle stick injuries
- Tattooing and body piercing
- Acupuncture
- Sharing toothbrushes, razors or sex toys
- Other items that may have blood on them
- Blood from an infected person makes direct contact with an open wound or cut of a person who isn’t infected (Blood-to-blood contact).
Very rarely, hepatitis C may also be transmitted:
- From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding if the mother’s nipples are cracked or infected.
- During sex, if there is blood being swapped.
- During medical procedures, if standard precautions are not followed.
Hepatitis C is not passed on by casual contact, such as:
- Hugging or holding hands
- Kissing on the cheek
