Hepatitis C - The facts
Hepatitis C is a virus (HCV) that can damage the liver. There is no vaccine to prevent against it, but it can be treated.
The virus is spread through contact with the blood of a person who has hepatitis C.
The virus can damage the liver causing cirrohsis which can lead to liver cancer.
The virus can survive outside the body in a droplet of blood for up to three months and is infective for up to four days.
What can you do to protect yourself?
If you think you might be at risk of having the virus, you can have a simple test to find out if you are infected.
You can get a test at the following places:
- GP surgery
- Sexual health or GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) clinic
- Drug agencies/clinics
- Non-pharmacy needle exchange
- Prison health care unit if you are a prisoner
