Charities to launch hepatitis C testing campaign

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-33669628

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Hepatitis charities are calling on Scots who think they may have been exposed to the virus to get tested as part of a new national campaign.

Health Protection Scotland has said about half of the estimated 37,500 Scots with chronic hepatitis C may be unaware they have it.

Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver disease but is completely curable.

Charities said those at risk should get tested before the virus caused long-term health problems.

Hepatitis Scotland said those most at risk included people who had injected drugs, steroids or tanning products.

The virus can be difficult to detect because sufferers often exhibit few, if any, symptoms.

Experts said a simple pinprick test could give a diagnosis.

Scottish hepatitis charities are launching a month-long advertising campaign in Glasgow to get the message across.

It will feature adverts on selected bus routes in Glasgow and train services between Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as a social media campaign and an information website.

The campaign will end as Glasgow hosts the first ever World Hepatitis Summit at the end of next month.

The event, organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Hepatitis Alliance, will be hosted by the Scottish government and supported by Glasgow Caledonian University and Health Protection Scotland.

Hepatitis Scotland said Glasgow had been chosen to stage the summit because Scotland was widely recognised as having "a world leading approach" towards Hepatitis C.

'Highly curable'

Leon Wylie, lead officer of Hepatitis Scotland, said: "World class care can only be given if people know they have the virus.

"The message is, you need to get a test if you have been at risk, if you have the virus it is highly curable.

"The WHO event shows Scotland has world class treatment systems in place.

"It's really easy to get tested, just a finger prick, and we now getting access to all oral treatments that can cure nearly everyone who has the virus".

Grant Sugden, chief executive of HIV and hepatitis C charity Waverley Care, said: "With hepatitis C often showing few if any symptoms testing is the sure fire way to know your status.

"That's why it is so important for people who think they may be at risk to come forward."

"Waverley Care offers testing in several areas across Scotland and this can be carried out wherever people feel comfortable."