Myths about the prevalence of hepatitis C
The myth
Hepatitis C is rare.
False. An estimated 50 million people worldwide have chronic hepatitis C and about one million people each year contract the virus.
At the end of 2022, around 74,400 people in Australia were living with chronic hepatitis C and 6,728 people were newly diagnosed each year.1
The myth
Teenagers are most likely to have hepatitis C.
Approximately 21% of new cases of hepatitis C are in people aged 15 – 29 years of age.1 The rates of hepatitis C diagnoses among young people in Australia have been steadily declining since 2013.
Myths about hepatitis C transmission
The myth
Hepatitis C can be transmitted through coughing, kissing, or shaking hands.
The hepatitis C virus is a blood-borne virus. That means it’s passed from person to person through blood. You cannot get hepatitis C through casual contact with someone who has the virus.
It’s recommended you not share toothbrushes or shaving equipment as there is a remote possibility of blood from these objects causing transmission.
The myth
Hepatitis C can affect only the liver.
Hepatitis C primarily affects the liver. However, the virus can also affect other parts of the body (brain, blood vessels, pancreas, and kidneys). This is normally when the disease is more progressed.
The myth
Hepatitis C takes a long time before it starts to damage your liver.
In some people with hepatitis C, damage to the liver can be quite quick. However, this is not normally the case. Liver damage can be made worse by lifestyle choices such as consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or having a high fat diet or little exercise.
The myth
Everyone who has a tattoo or a piercing ends up getting hepatitis C.
False. Chances of contracting hepatitis C at a licensed, professional studio in Australia are slim due to infection control procedures they must follow. But tattoos or piercings done with nonsterile instruments can spread hepatitis C. If you get a tattoo or piercing, look for a facility that has all single-use items like gloves, needles, and ink pots.
The myth
Hepatitis C is a sexually transmitted disease.
Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood-to-blood exposure. There is a very low chance hepatitis C can be transmitted through sexual activity. Studies show that the chance of contracting hepatitis C through unprotected sex in heterosexual relationships is extremely rare.2
Transmission is more likely when blood is present or for men who have sex with men.
The myth
You’re likely to get hepatitis C if you step on a used needle in a public place.
You’re very unlikely to get hepatitis C through a needlestick injury while picking up rubbish or stepping on a used needle in a public place, such as a street, a park or a beach. As of 2019, there has only been three documented cases of hepatitis C transmission via community needle stick injury in the world.3
Myths about preventing hepatitis C
The myth
There’s a vaccine for hepatitis C.
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. If you’re living with hepatitis C, experts recommend that you get tested and vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.4
Myths about hepatitis C symptoms
The myth
I have fever and always feel tired, so I must have hepatitis C?
There are many reasons for having a fever and always feeling tired. The only way to know if you have hepatitis C is to have a blood test. If you experience any unusual symptoms or are concerned about your health, you should see your doctor. If you have a test and find out you have the virus, you’ll be able to receive proper treatment.
Myths about treating hepatitis C
The myth
A diagnosis of hepatitis C is akin to a death sentence.
Hepatitis C is curable, and treatment is effective in 95% – 97% of patients.5 Clinical trials show that in many cases the liver can repair itself once the virus is eliminated. If you think you may have been exposed to the virus, it’s important to get tested so you can receive proper treatment.
The myth
Once you’ve been treated for hepatitis C, you can’t get it again.
If you get hepatitis C you will develop antibodies, but they will not protect you from the virus in the future. That means it’s possible to get hepatitis C again.
You can reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis C by avoiding activities that pose a risk for hepatitis C transmission.
The myth
Hepatitis C will go away without treatment.
About 25% of people will clear the virus without treatment.6 For everyone else hepatitis C turns into a chronic, or long-term, disease. There are effective treatments for hepatitis C. However, left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to health problems like cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.
Myths about privacy and your hepatitis C status
The myth
You must disclose your hepatitis C status to everyone.
If you’re living with chronic hepatitis C most of the time, it’s your decision who you tell. However, there are some situations where you need to tell people you have the virus. These include:7
- when you give blood – you can’t donate if you have ever had hepatitis C, even if you no longer have it
- you’re a healthcare worker who works in “exposure prone procedures” – such as a surgeon, or if you work with sharp instruments or exposed tissues when your hands or fingers are inside the patient’s body
- if you’re in the Australian Defence Force (e.g. Navy, Army, Air Force)
- when applying for a visa to live in Australia
- before donating organs or sperm
- when taking out health insurance.
If none of the above apply to you, you’re not required by law to tell anyone you have hepatitis C, including your employer or any educational institution.
When it comes to family and friends, it’s your choice who you tell, what you tell them and when you tell them.
It’s recommended you tell people who may have come into contact with the virus, so they can be tested and treated if necessary. This also includes people you live with.
