You & Hep C

A diagnosis of hepatitis C can mean having to deal with a long term health problem for the first time and having to think about how it will affect your life. Being informed can help you to feel more in control and will help in developing strategies to deal with some of the issues which can arise, such as fear of transmitting the virus to others, disclosing to others, and discrimination.

The more you know the better able you are to make good decisions regarding your health and your lifestyle.

Hepatitis C in Australia

The latest estimates suggest that there are approximately 63,000 Victorians who have been infected with hepatitis C, and 210, 000 people nationwide. Across Australia there are currently an estimated 16,000 new infections every year, an increase of 45% since 1997. This works out to be a new infection in Australia every 32 minutes.

The hepatitis C virus was identified in 1989, and in 1990 a hepatitis C antibody test became available to help identify individuals who may have been exposed. Before 1990, hepatitis C was classified as non-A / non-B hepatitis. Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus. Transmission of the virus may only occur when infected blood enters the bloodstream. Currently in Australia, hepatitis C transmission occurs principally, but not exclusively, among injecting drug users.

Other routes of transmission include:

• Blood transfusions and use of other blood products prior to 1990
• Unsterile piercing or tattooing
• Occupational needle-stick injuries (health care setting, custodial setting, etc)
• Mother to child
• Other forms of blood-to-blood contact

There has been no known case of transmission of the hepatitis C virus through a needle stick injury on a beach, park or playground.

What is hepatitis C?

The term hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by viruses or by the harmful intake of chemicals or drugs (whether legal, illegal or prescription) including alcohol. Viral hepatitis is the term used when a virus causes the hepatitis. Different letters of the alphabet are used to differentiate different types of viral hepatitis. Currently there are believed to be six different types of viral hepatitis, ranging from A to G.

The hepatitis C virus is one of the viruses that can cause inflammation of the liver. It may damage the liver and the degree of damage may be slight or serious. Viruses are minute micro-organisms that have a simple structure, including small amounts of genetic material (DNA or RNA), and are protected in a coat of protein. They are unable to multiply on their own and are only able to reproduce inside living cells. Viruses multiply by hijacking the machinery of the cell to make more virus particles. By doing so, they disrupt the normal job of the cell, sometimes even destroying it. Hepatitis C multiplies in the cells of the host liver.

There are 10 different strains of the hepatitis C virus called genotypes, and there are also subtypes of the genotypes. The most common genotypes in Australia are 1a, 1b and 3a.

Hepatitis C infection involves an initial acute phase of infection that may not be noticeable, because in many cases people do not feel sick. During this phase, levels of the virus in the blood rise dramatically until the body’s immune system starts to produce antibodies.

Antibodies are made in response to the presence of the hepatitis C virus. Although the body’s immune system fights the virus, for 75-80% of people infected with hepatitis C the virus is not eliminated. For these people the virus will probably remain in their body for the rest of their lives. This is called chronic hepatitis C.

Once the virus enters the bloodstream, it can mutate and change rapidly. This may explain why the antibody response does not eliminate the virus in most people. By the time antibodies are ready to attack the virus, it has already changed and antibodies have no effect.

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

If you would like to speak to someone call:
Hepatitis C Victoria (Monday to Friday 9am -5pm) on 03 9380 4644 or 1800 703 003.

For more information about this topic go to the Australian Hepatitis Council web site at www.hepatitisaustralia.com or see Frequently Asked Questions on the NSW Hepatitis C Council website at www.hepatitisc.org.au.

Please note: This information DOES NOT aim to replace the advice that would be provided by a doctor or other health care worker. People who have hepatitis C should regularly see their doctor, who can provide monitoring, up-to-date information, advice, and counselling if needed.