How can I prevent passing hepatitis C onto others?

 Never share any equipment if injecting drugs.

• Never share your toothbrush, razor or other personal grooming items with anyone.
• Clean up your own blood from floors and worksurfaces with undiluted household bleach.
• Carefully clean cuts and wounds and cover with waterproof plaster.
• If you have sexual contact with more than one partner, practice safe sex (use a condom).
• Do not register as an organ donor or donate blood or semen.

Who do I need to tell?

It’s advisable to tell a medical person who may have contact with your blood ( eg doctor, nurse or dentist)

You should discuss informing your sexual partner/s with your healthcare provider.

It is not necessary to tell anyone else.

Can I continue to work?

Yes.

To do medical or nursing work you will need to get advice.

The key to protecting ourselves and others is in being ‘blood aware'.

• Keep sores, cuts and abrasions covered with a clean dressing or plaster.

• If you have a minor injury at work, try to deal with the bleed yourself.

• Use gloves whenever contact with blood is possible.

• Ensure that a good first aid box is available at all times in the work area.

• Ensure that disposable gloves are always available in key work areas.

• Clean surface blood spills with paper towels followed by a detergent wash. Then clean the area with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Dry the area with clean paper towels.Bag and seal blood-stained articles before placing them in the main bin.

• Adhere to local infection control standard precautions in the healthcare setting.

Where can I go for help?

If you think you could have contacted the Hepatitis C virus at any time in the past you should talk to your GP regarding a simple blood test to see if you have been infected. 

If you have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C ask your GP to refer you to the Regional Liver Unit at Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast or to a local Consultant Gastroenterologist who specialises in Hepatitis C.

What can I do to help myself? 

• If you inject steroids or drugs never share any equipment. 

• If you have sexual contact with more than one partner practice safer sex (use a condom). 

• Keep in regular contact with your GP and attend regular health checks. 

• Don’t drink any alcohol. Drinking alcohol can speed up the progression of liver disease in people with Hepatitis C.

• Eat a healthy diet, with regular meals, plenty of fruit and vegetables and avoid fatty and sugary foods.

• Take regular exercise as this can help with the tiredness that is associated with Hepatitis C. Ensure that you get adequate rest. 

• Try to keep your weight at a healthy level. Being overweight can sometimes cause more damage to the liver.

There are several websites that offer information:

The British liver trust provides information on all forms of liver disease
www.britishlivertrust.org.uk
tel: 08006527330 

R.V.H. liver support group
www.rvhliversupportgroup.org                                                                                                                                                                                                Tel: 07737718493 

The Hepatitis C trust provides information and support for people with hepatitis C
www.hepctrust.org.uk
helpline: 0845 223 4424 

UK Hepatitis C resource centre provides information for people with hepatitis C
www.mainliners.org.uk/pages/hepc.html                                                                                                                                                                   Information line: 0870 242 2467

The Haemophilia Society provides information and support for people living with haemophilia who are concerned about hepatitisC www.haemophilia.org.uk