The only way to be sure
Almost half of people living with hepatitis C are not aware that they are infected. Many people with hepatitis C do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. Even though a person has no symptoms, the virus can still be detected in the blood.
Over time, untreated hepatitis C can cause serious liver disease including cirrhosis and liver cancer and is one of the leading causes of liver transplantation.
It only takes a small amount of blood to share Hep C. Find out more about risk factors and possible symptoms to help decide if you should get tested.
There is no vaccine to prevent hep C
Find out more about hep C
The hepatitis C virus is highly contagious and can live outside of the body in traces of dried blood for several days to weeks.
To avoid infection with Hep C it is important not to share or re-use needles, equipment or sharp objects such as razors, that could have come into contact with another person’s blood.
Modern treatments are now available that are well tolerated, simple to take and can cure the virus in almost everyone living with Hep C.
Successful treatment will also prevent transmission of hepatitis C to others.
