100,000 people in England unaware they have hepatitis C

Around a third of people don't know how hepatitis C can be passed from person to person, according to new research commissioned by the UK Department of Health

The findings come as a major hepatitis C awareness campaign is launched to reach out to the estimated 100,000 people in England who are unaware they have the infection and stop others getting it.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that can cause chronic infection leading to serious liver damage and even premature death.

The ICM poll revealed that:

• around four in 10 people don't know that they can catch hepatitis C by using unsterile equipment when getting a tattoo, piercing or acupuncture
• one in eight people think that hepatitis C can be passed on by kissing (it can't)
• about one in six people think consuming contaminated food or water can transmit the virus (wrong again)
• a third of respondents wrongly believe there is a vaccine which will protect against being infected by hepatitis C (unfortunately not)

Radio and press advertising will remind the public of life experiences which may have exposed them to being infected by the virus such as injecting drugs or getting tattoos where equipment may not have been sterile. The campaign coincides with the 20th anniversary of the virus being identified.

Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said:

‘Around 100,000 people in England are estimated to be unaware that they have hepatitis C.

It can take years or even decades for symptoms to appear, if at all, and if left untreated can lead to liver damage and premature death.

Fortunately, effective treatment is available, so it's vital that people who may have been at risk of infection seek medical advice and get tested.’

Further information

http://www.NHS.uk/HepC

This article was published on Wed 28 January 2009