The Viral Hepatitis Team will be holding a free drop in Hepatitis C testing clinic in Carlisle on Saturday 23rd April.
You can find them in the Market Hall from 11am to 3:30pm, where the nurses will be doing finger prick tests with instant results for Hepatitis C antibodies.
Angela Sinkinson is a Viral Hepatitis Nurse at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and said:
“Hepatitis C is the most common type of viral hepatitis in the UK. It's usually spread through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person, and in the UK, it's most commonly spread through sharing needles used to inject drugs.
“Risk factors for spreading the infection include: snorting or injecting drugs (including steroids); having unprotected sex; and getting a tattoo or body piercing."
The World Health Organisation has committed eradicating Hepatitis C by 2030 so by testing (and treating) as many people as possible, we’ll be well on our way to hitting this.
Are you a risk of contracting Hepatitis C? Some of the risks are:
- Blood transfusion or blood products prior to 1991 in the UK?
- Tattoo or body piercing abroad?
- Ever snorted or injected drugs (including steroids) – even if it was only once?
- Born in or have you had a medical procedure in an area which has a higher prevalence of blood borne viruses? (Such as Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa)
- Have you had unprotected sex with anyone who is known to have HIV, Hepatitis B or C, or might be at risk for any of the reasons listed here?
- Any other blood to blood contact such as sharing razors or toothbrushes?
- Hepatitis C is treatable – Treatment is provided by the Viral Hepatitis Service. Treatment is well tolerated and usually 1 tablet a day for 8-12 weeks
If you can’t make the pop up testing, you can also arrange testing at your GP Practice, Sexual Health Clinic, Drug and Alcohol Team