Providing support for people affected by hepatitis
TasCAHRD is the peak body for providing support for viral hepatitis in Tasmania.
We support those living with, or at risk of, hepatitis by providing advocacy, referrals, and information about treatment, testing, transmission and prevention.
We also work to improve community health literacy surrounding hepatitis to help reduce stigma and discrimination and transmission while increasing testing and treatment.
1 in 5 people living with
hepatitis C don’t know they have it
Hepatitis C
• Fatigue and sleep problems
• Fever and flu-like symptoms
• Aches and pain, including in the liver area (behind ribs on the right side of the belly)
• Changes in mood, including anxiety, depression, and irritability
• Low appetite and nausea
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Please note that the symptoms can come and go, and may not be enough to make you think of getting a test for hepatitis
Risks include
- Sharing injecting equipment
- Unsterile tattoo & piercing procedures
- Medical & dental procedures in developing countries
- Blood transfusions in Australia before 1990
Lower risk
- Needle stick injuries
- Blood to blood contact in fights
- Sharing razors and toothbrushes
- During childbirth
- Sexual contact where blood is present
Hepatitis C IS NOT transmitted by
- Sneezing and coughing
- Hugging, handshakes and casual contact
- Kissing
- Toilets
- Sharing food or eating utensils
- Insect and animal bites
Once hepatitis C enters the body, it can take up to 12 weeks before it can be detected in your blood. It is important to consider this when getting tested. Tests done too early may not be accurate. Even though hepatitis C may not show up on tests during this time, it can still be transmitted to others.
These medicines, known as direct-acting antivirals (or DAAs), cure hepatitis C for over 95% of people.
- Treatment consists of 1 to 3 tablets taken daily for 8 to 12 weeks. This will depend on which medicine is being used and if there is any liver damage.
- Side effects from the hepatitis C treatment are uncommon, usually mild, and get better with time. Side effects may include nausea, headaches, and feeling tired.
- GPs can now prescribe the new DAA medicines, but in some cases they may refer to a specialist if they are concerned about other health problems.
- The new medicines are available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people over the age of 12 with an Australian Medicare card.
- Treatment is available for everyone including people who are currently injecting drugs, people in prison, people with liver damage, and people who have been cured of hepatitis C before.
Hepatitis B
The symptoms of Hepatitis B can vary depending on the individual and the stage of the disease. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, while others may have mild to severe symptoms. Common symptoms of acute Hepatitis B include:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Dark urine
- Pale stools
- Joint pain
- Fever
Some other ways you can contact hepatitis B are:
- having vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom
- tattooing or body piercing with used equipment
- medical procedures with used equipment
- sharing needles, syringes or other injecting equipment, including spoons
- sharing toothbrushes, razors or nail files
- having cuts or sores that are uncovered.
Hepatitis B can be diagnosed through blood tests that can detect the presence of the virus or the antibodies produced by the body in response to the virus. It is not part of normal blood tests done by your doctor. You need to ask for a special set of tests.
Although there is no cure found yet, there are some treatments that can help reduce damage to your liver and reduce your viral loads.
It’s important to note that not everyone with hepatitis B requires treatment. In some cases, the virus may not cause any symptoms or long-term damage, and the body may be able to clear the infection on its own. However, even if you do not require treatment, it’s still important to regularly monitor your liver function and receive regular check-ups to ensure that your condition does not worsen over time.
Hepatitis A
Not many people contact hepatitis A in Australia. But some people are more likely to get it:
- People who inject drugs using needles
- Men who have sex with men
- People visiting countries with less access to clean water or sanitation.
- People who are experiencing homelessness
Sometimes there is an outbreak of hepatitis A, but it is not common.
Using the right language
Transmit
instead of give, infected or spreadTransmission is the correct term when referring to the virus passing from one person to another
Contract, acquired or diagnosed
Catch/caught, became, infected withThese terms suggest something that is contagious and should be avoided or feared
Person living with Hepatitis
instead of victim, suffererWhile BBVs can have a significant impact on a person, these terms are disempowering and implies they have no control of their lives.
Person living with Hepatitis
instead of carrier, infected, diseased, contaminatedThese terms are considered offensive and encourage stigma as they suggest a person should be avoided or feared
Person who use or no longer use drugs/injects drugs
instead of drug user/abuser, addict, junkie Former addict, recovered, cleanUsing clear, non-judgemental, and person-first language towards substance use minimises stigma and stereotypes
Person living with Hepatitis
instead of hepatitis positive or hepatitis patientUse Person-first language. This puts the person before the label and reinforces their humanity instead of their diagnosis and health
Sterile/unsterile, used/unused injecting equipment
instead of clean/dirty needlesThese are descriptive words that name the object rather than attributing judgement to the objects and the people that use them
Positive/negative blood screen, blood containing virus
instead of dirty/clean blood or tainted bloodTerms such as dirty/clean imply a value judgement (dirty = bad, clean = good) which reinforces stigma about health and activities
Sex without a condom, condomless sex
instead of unprotected sexCondoms are only one of the means to achieve safer sex.