World Hepatitis Day is marked globally on 28 July.
This is part of a worldwide campaign to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.
In 2024 the national theme is Itās time for action, reminding us that that hepatitis C and liver health remains an important issue for our community and that acting now is vital.
Don't put it off
Do you know your hep C status? Find out if you donāt know.
Hep C can be cured. Treatment is simple.
Do you need liver health monitoring? Ask your doctor.
A healthy liver is vital for all of us.
Hep C and bleeding disorders
In Australia many people with bleeding disorders acquired hepatitis C from their plasma-derived clotting factor treatment products or other blood products before 1993. Several safety measures were introduced by 1993 and the risk of bloodborne viruses from plasma-derived clotting factor products in Australia is now considered to be extremely low. But many people in our community live on with the consequences of those early infections.
Who is at risk?
Itās estimated that 1 in 5 Australians do not know they have hep C.
For some people with bleeding disorders, it has been a surprise to find out they were exposed to hepatitis C, especially if they only had one or two treatments over their lifetime. This includes:
- women who carry the gene
- women and men with mild haemophilia or VWD
You could be at risk
- If you ever had clotting factor or a blood transfusion before 1993Ā
- OrĀ if you have shared equipment that could allow blood from an infected person to get into your blood stream, eg injecting equipment, non-sterile tattooing, medical care overseas
Is this you or someone you know? Have you ever been tested for hep C? If not, now is the time to be tested ā and have treatment to be cured, if you do have hep C!
Treatment and cure
Hep C treatments now are radically different to the early interferon treatments.
- Very high cure rates ā over 95%
- One-daily tablets
- Few if any side effects.
Most Australians with bleeding disorders and hep C have now been cured ā but some need ongoing care of their liver health.
Post cure liver health
Were youĀ cured of hep C? Has your liver recovered?
You might think itās all OK, but itās easy to miss symptoms of liver disease. Itās a temptation to put your liver health out of your mind once you are cured. But if you donāt know the state of your liver health when you were cured, find out today. Ignoring your liver health can have serious consequences.
Take action now. Contact your hepatitis doctor or your GP to check your liver test results.
Find out if you need ongoing follow-up with a liver specialist.
Remember: If you had cirrhosis or extensive scarring beforeĀ being cured of hep C,Ā you will still need to haveĀ a liver ultrasoundĀ scanĀ every 6 monthsĀ long-term.Ā
How can you keep your liver in good shape?Ā
Click here forĀ 5 ways to keep your liver healthy.Ā
Q: Can I have gene therapy if Iāve had hep C?
A: Yes, as long as you have been cured or you are HCV PCR negative (no active virus in your blood) and your liver is showing signs that it is functioning normally. Talk to your doctor about this and they may refer you to a liver specialist for a liver assessment with an ultrasound, and blood tests to show that your liver is healthy.
There are things you can do to prepare your liver for gene therapy.Ā Click here to find out more.
Personal stories
What are the experiences of other Australians with bleeding disorders? Read their stories about hep C and looking after their liver health.
Find out more
Visit theĀ national World Hepatitis Day website
Read more aboutĀ treatment and people with bleeding disordersĀ on the HFA website
Read more aboutĀ curing hep CĀ on the Hepatitis Australia website
As a Partner in the national World Hepatitis Day Campaign, HFA works with Hepatitis Australia and State and Territory Foundations on the annual national awareness campaign and is committed to making a difference on hepatitis C in Australia.