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100,000 unaware they have hepatitis C

  • Last modified date:
    26 January 2009
Hepatitis C Are You At Risk? campaign image

Around a third of people don't know how hepatitis C can be passed from person to person, according to new research commissioned by DH.

The findings come as a major hepatitis C awareness campaign is launched to reach out to the estimated 100,000 people in England who are unaware they have the infection and stop others getting it.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that can cause chronic infection and lead to serious liver damage and even premature death.

The ICM poll reveals that:

  • around four in 10 people don't know that they can catch hepatitis C by using unsterile equipment when getting a tattoo, piercing or acupuncture
  • one in eight think that hepatitis C can be passed on by kissing
  • about one in six think consuming contaminated food or water can transmit the virus
  • a third of respondents mistakenly believe that there is a vaccine to protect against infection with hepatitis C.

'It's vital that people who may have been at risk of infection seek medical advice and get tested' - Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson

Radio and press advertising will remind the public of life experiences that could have exposed them to infection such as injecting drugs or getting tattoos where equipment may not have been sterile. The campaign coincides with the 20th anniversary of the virus being identified.

Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said: ‘Around 100,000 people in England are estimated to be unaware that they have hepatitis C. It can take years or even decades for symptoms to appear, if at all, and if left untreated can lead to liver damage and premature death.

Fortunately, effective treatment is available, so it's vital that people who may have been at risk of infection seek medical advice and get tested.’

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