PUBLIC Health England and NHS England are working to find thousands of people living with hepatitis C, offering them new treatments that in most cases cures the illness.
PHE and NHS England have launched a national exercise to identify and treat patients who have been previously diagnosed with hepatitis C.
If untreated, infection with hepatitis C can lead to liver damage, cancer and even death. Hepatitis C is spread through blood-to-blood contact, most commonly in England by sharing needles contaminated with the virus, but even sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person could pass on the virus.
If someone thinks they have been at-risk of catching hepatitis C, PHE recommend they get tested at their local GP practice, sexual health or community drug services. If people aren’t sure about whether they are at risk, they can take a short quiz on the Hepatitis C Trust website here.
