The old days of Hepatitis C treatment have left a bad taste (pardon the pun) in some people’s mouths. But these days, treatment and cure is nothing like it used to be. 

This week, for Hepatitis Awareness week, health authorities keen to dispel some stubborn myths that persist from the days of interferon treatments and encourage people to get tested and be treated with new, effective treatments. 

North Coast HIV and Related Programs (HARP) manager Jenny Heslop said some people aren’t getting treated because they are running on old information about the previous interferon/ribavirin treatments. 

“With the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in recent years, Hep C treatment has changed for the better,” she said. “People can be treated at local health services, and most don’t need to go to a liver clinic.

“DAAs have a very high cure rate – over 95% - with minimal, if any, side effects for most people. Taken as daily doses of pills, the new treatments take just 8 or 12 weeks. 

“Thousands of people in NSW have already been treated and cured since March 2016, but many more living with hep C are yet to seek treatment. 

“Research shows that lack of information or misconceptions are the main reasons people with hep C hadn’t come forward to be treated.” 

Hepatitis C is a virus that is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact and can, over time, damage a person’s liver – leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. 

Someone could be at risk of hep C if they have ever had blood-to-blood contact. Sharing injecting equipment or getting home tattoos or home piercings are the most common means of transmission. 

Jenny said tens of thousands of people in NSW are living with Hep C, but many do not know they have the virus. Some people do not have symptoms and having a blood test is the only way to know if someone is living with the virus. 

“Being cured of Hep C can improve quality of life,” she said. “Most people who have finished their course of treatment report feeling greater levels of energy and alertness.

For testing or treatment for Hepatitis B or C, contact your local GP or nearest liver clinic.