Are you number 12?

Next Monday is World Hepatitis Day, the first day of National Hepatitis Awareness Week aimed at raising public awareness and reducing isolation and stigmatisation for people living with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis is not something people tend to discuss, but with one in 12 people worldwide living with chronic Hepatitis B or C, it’s a topic we all need to learn more about.

In Australia, it is estimated that between 90,000 and 160,000 people have chronic Hepatitis B and another 264,000 have been exposed to the Hepatitis C virus. 

Hunter New England Health Hepatology Nurse Practitioner Tracey Jones said both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are serious viral diseases that cause inflammation of the liver and can lead to long-term liver disease.

“Most adults who become infected with Hepatitis B recover, however in a small percentage of cases, chronic infection may lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer,” Ms Jones said.

“The long-term implications of Hepatitis C also include cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.  Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplants in Australia.”

Ms Jones said thousands of people are unaware they are infected with hepatitis and may carry the virus in their system for many years.

“People may be unknowingly spreading hepatitis, that why it’s important for everyone to understand how to prevent becoming infected,” Ms Jones said.

“The most effective way of preventing the spread of Hepatitis B is through vaccination.

“Unlike Hepatitis B there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, so avoiding exposure is the only way to stop the spread of the virus.”

Ms Jones said the Hepatitis B virus is found in bodily fluids such as blood, saliva and semen, and the Hepatitis C virus is carried in the blood and spread through blood-to-blood contact.

“Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can be spread from mother to baby during childbirth, by sharing items such as razors, toothbrushes and injecting equipment, and through unsterile body piercing and tattooing equipment,” Ms Jones said.

“Hepatitis B may also be transmitted during breastfeeding and sexual intercourse.”

Ms Jones said because hepatitis is often associated with injecting drug use, the perceived social stigma associated with the virus can prevent people from accessing treatment.

“This perception is incorrect – hepatitis affects people from all walks of life,” Ms Jones said.

“People who think they may be at risk of hepatitis should talk to their healthcare provider about treatment options.”

Contact: Gemma Smith

Phone: 4921 4501