Episode seven of our Legendary Conversations podcast explores hepatitis C. Dr Sarah Hartnall, and nurses Nancy Carey and Bridget Faire discuss hepatitis C testing, treatment, and support networks in Aotearoa.
Making hepatitis C history
Making hepatitis C history
Chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma and dramatically reduced life expectancy.1,2 Of the estimated 30,000 people living with chronic hepatitis C in Aotearoa, up to 40% are unaware they have it. The highest prevalence is in people who inject drugs, but infection can occur from a single exposure incident in someone’s past and they may remain asymptomatic for decades.
Oral antiviral treatment can achieve >98% cure rate3 but patients first need to be identified by screening for HCV antibodies and/or a diagnostic PCR assay. Placing information in waiting areas about risk factors and the simple treatment for hepatitis C may encourage people to present for testing.
Click here for more resources on hepatitis C.
References
- World Health Organization. Hepatitis C (fact sheet). 18 July 2023. who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
- Pinchoff J, Drobnik A, Bornschlegel K, et al. Deaths among people with hepatitis C in New York City, 2000-2011. Clin Infect Dis 2014 Apr;58(8):1047–54. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu075. academic.oup.com/cid/article/58/8/1047/357446
- Pharmac. Decision to fund a new hepatitis C treatment (Maviret) and to widen access to adalimumab (Humira) for psoriasis. 18 December 2018. pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/decision-to-fund-a-new-hepatitis-c-treatment-maviret-and-to-widen-access-to-adalimumab-humira-for-psoriasis
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5 December 2023