Testing and treatment FAQ
Can Hepatitis C be cured?
Yes, hepatitis C is curable. Treatment therapies have a 95% or higher success rate in eliminating hepatitis C are available in Australia.1 They are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and are available for all people living with hepatitis C over the age of 15 and who have a Medicare Card.2
Medications that treat all genotypes are available. Treatment is usually for eight to 12 weeks.
Learn more: http://www.befreefromhepc.org.au
What sort of test is used to detect Hepatitis C?
There are two types of blood tests that are used to diagnose hepatitis C.
Antibody testing is the first test used to see if the body is producing any hepatitis C antibodies. If antibodies are present, it doesn’t mean you definitely have the virus. You just may have been exposed to the virus in the past.
Your body can take up to three months to make antibodies which means test results during this period may not be accurate. If the antibody test is positive, a second blood test – a PCR – is taken to confirm whether the hepatitis C virus is present in the blood stream and how much virus you have.
If you test positive for an antibody test, but negative for a PCR test, this means the virus is not present in the blood stream, and you currently don’t have the virus.
Family & Close contacts FAQ
Can I pass on Hepatitis C to my family or household contact/s?
While household transmission of hepatitis C is extremely rare, there are a number of possible ways by which hepatitis C could be transmitted from one person to another in a household setting.
Because the virus is carried in the blood, it could be transmitted between household members were to come in contact with blood containing hepatitis C.
Be careful to avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, toothpicks or any personal grooming items that may break the skin and cause bleeding, this form of transmission is rare, but be blood aware.
If an item was contaminated with hepatitis C-infected blood from one person, the virus could be passed to a second person if it were to tear the lining of the mouth or break through the skin.
You should speak with your GP if you have any concerns. For peace of mind they can arrange for your family or household members to be tested.
I have Hepatitis C. Should I tell my partner?
You are not legally obliged to disclose your hepatitis C status, because it is not classified as a sexually transmissible infection.
However, it may be a good idea to let them know so they can be tested and get treatment if they need to.
Can someone with Hepatitis C still have children?
Yes. The virus does not impact on fertility or function. Transmission of hepatitis C to a baby from a mother with hepatitis C is extremely low. There are also ways to reduce this risk even further.
Speak to your doctor if you have hepatitis C and are planning a family. You can be cured with treatment in as little as eight weeks. It’s recommended you be treated before falling pregnant as the current treatments cannot be taken during pregnancy.4
Transmission FAQ
Can Hepatitis C be transmitted through sex?
Transmission of hepatitis C occurs through blood-to-blood contact. Hepatitis C is not classified as a sexually transmissible infection (STI). While exposure through sex is not common, it can occur if sexual activity includes any direct blood-to-blood contact.
Talk to your GP or health specialist about risk factors and how to minimise them. Or you can call the LiverLine on 1800 703 003 for more information.
Can I get Hepatitis C through sharing drugs that don’t involve the use of needles?
Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. That means the blood of someone who has hepatitis C enters the bloodstream of someone without the virus. This can happen when sharing snorting equipment (e.g. bank notes, straws, etc.), or any injecting equipment such as needles, tourniquets, spoons or swabs.
While the risk is much lower, you can be exposed to the virus if you share this equipment, as it may carry traces of blood from a person with hepatitis C.
Can I get reinfected with Hepatitis C?
Yes. If you get hepatitis, you will develop antibodies. However, these will not protect you from the virus in the future. It’s possible to get hepatitis C again, even if you have previously cleared it, with or without treatment.
Some studies have shown that you’re more likely to get hepatitis again if you’re HIV positive.3
You can reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis C by avoiding activities that pose a risk for hepatitis C transmission.
Is there a vaccination for Hepatitis C?
No, there is no vaccination for hepatitis C.
