Should I Get Tested? Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the blood-borne hepatitis C virus. Over time, it can lead to serious liver disease including liver failure and liver cancer. An estimated 170,000 Australians live with hepatitis C.
Information for GPs General Practitioners are now able to prescribe and manage the treatment of hepatitis C using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in consultation with a gastroenterologist, hepatologist or infectious diseases physician experienced in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. Skilled and experienced clinicians may initiate hepatitis C treatment using DAAs without consultation with a specialist.
1 in 5 people with hepatitis C don't know they have it. You may have been exposed to the virus and not realise it. Exposure can happen through: sharing injecting equipment unsterile tattooing home body piercing or body art medical, dental or cosmetic procedures with unsterile equipment Ÿ blood transfusions before 1990 or Ÿ any situation where open cuts or wounds might have been exposed to another person’s blood. Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
If you don’t know your status and don’t know if you might have been at risk, consider taking a test.
Useful Resources Hepatitis C Information for GPs http://hepsa.asn.au/gp. Electronic GP information - drug interaction tool, patient resources, testing, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, pregnancy, children.
Remote Consultation Request for Initiation of Hepatitis C Treatment [PDF] http://bit.ly/gesa-remote-consult-form
Start by talking to your doctor. For more information on hepatitis C tests, why they're done and what the results mean visit our Hepatitis C Testing page.
Hepatitis C Treatment Resources for Prescribers and Dispensers http://hepatitissa.asn.au/news/263
Hepatitis C Self-Assessment Guide An estimated 7,500 South Australians are living with the Hepatitis C virus. This self-assessment guide will help you nd out if you may have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. It will only take a few minutes and is completely anonymous.
Video - Taking HCV Risk History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =s2BFKVrJVW4
Scan QR code overleaf to start Produced on Kaurna Country - Updated February 2020 SA Health has contributed funds to this program
Hep C GET CURED
Talk to us Call 1800 437 222 for your nearest liver nurse
New hepatitis C treatments The Australian government is subsidising revolutionary new hepatitis C medicines for all Australians. General Practitioners can directly prescribe and manage hepatitis C treatment for their patients, and prescriptions can be lled at many local community pharmacies. New hepatitis C treatments are simple, quick, highly effective and have few side effects.
New
Old
New
Old
Which doctor? Any GP should be able to discuss treatment options with you. If you need help nding a GP, call the Hepatitis SA Helpline on 1800 437 222.
Which pharmacy? Over 90% success
Tablets only
50% to 80% success
Injections and tablets
Mild side effects
Nasty side effects
The success of these new treatments has made the elimination of hepatitis C a real possibility. 8 to 24 weeks
24 to 48 weeks
There's never been a better time to think about hepatitis C treatment. Start by talking to your doctor. For more information on the new hepatitis C treatments visit our Hepatitis C Treatment page. Scan QR code below or visit hepsa.asn.au//about-hepatitis/hepatitis-c/treatment-hcv.
Useful Links
hepccheck.info Hepatitis C Self-Assessment
hepsa.asn.au Hepatitis C Testing page
hepsa.asn.au Hepatitis C Treatment page
Many pharmacies across South Australia will ll prescriptions for hepatitis C medicines. If you prefer to ll your prescription online, remember: Ÿ to have a delivery and collection process where the medicine is not compromised by extreme temperatures, and Ÿ to allow enough time for order processing and so there’s no break in your dosage.