Can I catch hepatitis C from mosquitoes? Expand No. There is no evidence showing hepatitis C can be spread by mosquitoes. You can read this article if you want to understand more about why mosquitoes can’t spread hepatitis C. Find out more about preventing hepatitis C References Daniel, C. (2019, June 26). Why mosquitoes don't spread hepatitis. Retrieved from Verywell health. Updated 20 December 2019
Can I get hepatitis C from sharing food or eating utensils? Expand No. Hepatitis C is only spread through blood-to-blood contact. Find out more about preventing hepatitis C References: ASHM. (2019). Hepatitis C. Retrieved from All Good. Updated 20 December 2019
Can I get hepatitis C through hugging or kissing? Expand No. Hepatitis C is only spread through blood-to-blood contact. Find out more about preventing hepatitis C References: ASHM. (2019). Hepatitis C. Retrieved from All Good. Updated 20 December 2019
Can I get hepatitis C through sex? Expand During vaginal and oral sex, it is very unlikely that you would get hepatitis C. However, there is evidence that people who engage in anal sex are at risk of getting hepatitis C. This is because the anus lining is very thin, allowing the virus to get into the bloodstream. You may also be at risk of hepatitis C if you: engage in fisting have sex during menstruation (a woman’s period) have sex and have cuts or sores near your genital area engage in rough sex practices that could lead to bleeding share sex toys that have not been properly cleaned have sex while using drugs that are injected or snorted share lube pots where blood might be transferred. Remember, the amount of blood required to transmit hep C may be microscopic and not immediately visible. Find out more about preventing hepatitis C References The Hepatitis C Trust (2019). Hepatitis C information for MSM. Retrieved from The Hepatitis C Trust. Hepatitis NSW (2019, November). What You Need To Know: a guide to hepatitis C. Retrieved from Hepatitis NSW. Updated 20 December 2019
Do I need to tell anyone if I have hepatitis C? Expand Normally, it is your choice whether or not to tell people if you have hepatitis C. This includes doctors, dentists, and tattoo and piercing parlours. These places are required to have infection control measures in place for all patients or clients so they should not need to make any changes. There are a few cases where you are required by law disclose that you have hepatitis C or have previously had hepatitis C. These are: before donating blood at the blood bank, as you cannot donate blood if you’ve ever had hep C when applying for life insurance policies and other types of insurance where pre-existing health conditions may impact the insurance company’s decision members of the Australian Defence Force, including Navy, Army and Air Forces health care workers who perform exposure prone procedures, meaning they could come into contact with sharp instruments or tissues (e.g. spicules of bone or teeth) inside a person’s body. Most health care workers do not perform EPPs. For more information, you can read the guidelines on the Department of Health website when applying for a visa to live in Australia. You should answer all questions in visa application forms honestly. There are some cases where you may have to have a hep C test if you are applying to live in Australia. If you wish to donate organs or sperm, you will be tested for hepatitis C. You may still be able to donate, though this will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Find out more about your rights and responsibilities References ASHM. (2019). Hepatitis C. Retrieved from All Good. Australian Red Cross Blood Service. (n.d.). I had hepatitis - can I donate? Department of Health. (2018, December). Australian National Guidelines for the Management of Healthcare Workers Living with Blood Borne Viruses and Healthcare Workers who Perform Exposure Prone Procedures at Risk of Exposure to Blood Borne Viruses Updated 20 December 2019
Do I need to tell anyone that I am taking treatment for hepatitis C? Expand You are not required by law to tell anyone that you are taking treatment for hepatitis C. However, it is important to check that any other medications you take will not interact with hep C medication. If a different doctor suggests you take a medication, you can choose to tell them that you are taking hep C medication, or you may prefer to check if it is safe with the doctor you are seeing for hep C treatment. If you are in hospital and cannot check with your own doctor, it is important to tell anyone who is prescribing you medication about any other medicines you might be taking, including hep C treatment or complementary treatments. Find out more about your rights and responsibilities References ASHM. (2019). Hepatitis C. Retrieved from All Good. Updated 20 December 2019
I have hepatitis C but I feel fine. Why should I worry about getting cured? Expand Even if you feel fine, hepatitis C can still be damaging your liver. If you wait until you feel sick, the virus may already have caused a lot of harm, which could be irreversible. Curing hepatitis C also means you can’t pass it on to anyone else, although it is important to remember that you can still get it again if you come into contact with infected blood. Many people who have been cured of hep C report feeling a lot clearer, more energetic and less anxious. You should talk to your doctor about when is the best time for you to start treatment. The new direct acting antiviral (DAA) medicines are easy to take and most people have few or no side effects. Find out more about treatment for hepatitis C References Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, September). Hepatitis C. Retrieved from Better Health. Updated 20 December 2019
I’m pregnant and have hep C - can my baby get it? Expand There is about a 5% chance that babies can get hepatitis C during childbirth. This can happen in a vaginal or caesarean delivery. If you are pregnant and have hepatitis C, you should talk to your doctor. If you are thinking about getting pregnant and have hepatitis C, you can talk to your doctor about your options for curing hepatitis C first. It is not known if taking hep C treatment while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Babies cannot get hep C at conception or during pregnancy before they are born. References RANZCOG. (2016, July). Management of Hepatitis C in pregnancy. Retrieved from RANZCOG. Updated 16 April 2020
I’ve had a blood test, have I been tested for hepatitis C? Expand Testing for hepatitis C is not part of normal blood tests—you generally have to ask your doctor. There are two exceptions to this: Most pregnant women are tested for hepatitis C as part of normal screening during pregnancy.1 If you donate blood to the blood bank, it will be tested, and you will be notified if you have been exposed to hepatitis C.2 Read our article: No, you’re not being tested for hepatitis as part of a routine blood test References: (2018, June). Blood tests during pregnancy. Retrieved from Pregnancy, birth & baby. Australian Red Cross. (n.d.) Blood testing and safety. Retrieved from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Updated 18 June 2020
I’ve had hepatitis C treatment before. Can I get treated again? Expand Yes, if you’ve had interferon-based treatment or direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) previously, you can still get treated for hep C again. Your treatment might be slightly different to someone who has never been treated, and you may need to see a specialist so you have the best chance of getting cured. You can also get treated again if you’ve been cured in the past and have been re-infected with hepatitis C. Find out more about treatment for hepatitis C References Hepatitis NSW (2019, November). What You Need To Know: a guide to hepatitis C. Retrieved from Hepatitis NSW. Updated 20 December 2019
If I get hepatitis C, how likely is it that it will become chronic? Expand About 25% of people who get hepatitis C clear the virus naturally. Everyone else (75%) will develop a chronic infection if left untreated. References ASHM. (2019). Testing for Hep C. Retrieved from Vimeo. Updated 20 December 2019
If I have hepatitis C, should I get vaccinated for hepatitis A or hepatitis B? Expand Yes. It is safe for people who have hepatitis C to get the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines. In fact, it is recommended that you get these vaccines to protect your liver from other infections that could cause it harm. Find out more about hepatitis B vaccination References Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, April). New drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C – Frequently Asked Questions for patients. Retrieved from Better Health. Department of Health. (2019, April 1). General Statement for Drugs for the Treatment of Hepatitis C. Retrieved from The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Updated 20 December 2019
If I’ve been cured of hepatitis C can I donate blood? Expand No. Even though you have been cured of hep C, you will always have hep C antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that your body produces to try fight the virus. When the blood bank tests blood for hep C, they use an antibody test so if you have hep C antibodies they will not be able to use your blood. In the past, any person who had ever injected drugs used to have a lifetime exclusion from donating blood, regardless of their antibody status. This is no longer the case. Find out more about curing hepatitis C References Australian Red Cross Blood Service. (n.d.). I had hepatitis - can I donate? Updated 20 December 2019
Is it safe to breastfeed if I have hep C? Expand Yes, so long as your nipples are not cracked or bleeding. Hepatitis C is not transmitted through breast milk, but if your nipples are cracked or bleeding it is recommended that you stop breastfeeding temporarily on that breast and consult a midwife. It is not known if hep C medication can be passed to your baby in your breast milk.. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits involved. Find out more about preventing hepatitis C References RANZCOG. (2016, July). Management of Hepatitis C in pregnancy. Retrieved from RANZCOG. Updated 16 April 2020
Is it safe to take herbal medicines or traditional Chinese medicines if I have hep C? Expand It depends on the medicine, but you should always talk to your doctor first as some of these medicines can harm your liver. If you are taking direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C, some herbal medicines can interact with the medicine, which can be dangerous. There is no evidence that alternative medicines (including herbal medicines and traditional Chinese medicine) can cure or treat hepatitis C, despite what you might see on the Internet. Find out more about treatment for hepatitis C References Pietrangelo, A. & Gotter, A. (2016, August 26). Can herbs or natural remedies treat hepatitis C? Retrieved from healthline. Updated 20 December 2019
Is there a cure for hepatitis C? Expand Yes. Since March 2016, a range of new and much improved medicines known as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have become available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. These medicines cure 95% of people treated, generally have few or no side-effects. Most people need to take one to three tablets daily for a period of 8 to 12 weeks. The amount of time you need to be on treatment will be depend on your own personal situation. Find out more about treatment for hepatitis C References Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, April). New drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C – Frequently Asked Questions for patients. Retrieved from Better Health. Department of Health. (2019, April 1). General Statement for Drugs for the Treatment of Hepatitis C. Retrieved from The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Updated 20 December 2019
Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C? Expand No, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. However, there are preventive vaccines available for hepatitis B and hepatitis A. Find out more about preventing hepatitis C References Hepatitis Victoria. (n.d.). The myths and the truth about hepatitis A, B and C. Retrieved from Hepatitis Victoria. Updated 20 December 2019
What is the difference between hepatitis B and hepatitis C? Expand Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are different viruses that both damage your liver. They are both transmitted through blood, but there are many differences in how most people contract hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as the treatment available. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood or specific body fluids. Most people contract hepatitis B at birth or in early childhood. You can also get hepatitis B if you have sex without a condom or have unsafe medical procedures. There is a vaccine for hepatitis B, but there is no cure. There is effective treatment that can reduce damage to your liver if you need it. Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood. Most people in Australia contract hepatitis C through injecting drugs, but you can also get it through amateur tattoos, unsafe medical procedures and vaccination programs, or anal sex without a condom. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but there is a safe and effective cure. Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), liver disease and liver cancer. Find out more about hepatitis B Find out more about hepatitis C References ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis B. Retrieved from All Good. ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis C. Retrieved from All Good. Updated 2 December 2019