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28.
July
2017.
CNWL comments on Annual Hepatitis C in the UK report on World Hepatitis Day

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28July 2017

For immediate publication

CNWL comments on Annual Hepatitis C in the UK report on World Hepatitis Day

The annual report, which has been published today, shows that deaths in the UK from Hepatitis C have fallen for a second consecutive year. Last year's report suggested the first fall in deaths from Hepatitis C (HCV) in the UK in more than a decade.

Commenting on the report Dr Laura Waters, CNWL's HIV Consultant and Hepatitis Lead, said:

"The drop in Hepatitis C (HCV) related illness is good news. We're now seeing more effective, safer and easier to take treatments and a move from monitoring for complications of chronic hepatitis to expanding testing and delivering treatment to harder to reach groups.

"Around half the people living with Hepatitis C in England do not know they have it. By diagnosing people earlier they can get the right tests/treatment before they become unwell. We are taking diagnosis and treatment into the community with outreach clinics across London and Surrey for patients who find it otherwise difficult to access services.

"Anyone at risk should get a test! See your GP or local sexual health service."

There are estimated to be 200,000 people chronically infected with HCV in England . However many of these, possibly as many as 50%, are unaware of their infection because it causes no symptoms until liver disease is at an advanced stage. Testing for hepatitis C is therefore essential.

Hepatitis is a virus that can damage the liver and, if left undiagnosed and untreated, can lead to liver cancer. There are five different hepatitis viruses; Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through direct contact with infected blood and can also be sexually transmitted. Hepatitis B and C often show no symptoms to suggest a person has been infected and it is estimated that many people who have Hepatitis do not know that they have it.

CNWL have produced an information leaflet on Hepatitis C specifically for men who have sex with men (MSM).

The Trust runs sexual health and HIV services in London and Surrey with special hepatitis clinics to provide care, support and treatment for people living with ‘acute' or ‘chronic' infections of Hepatitis C and B. The first six months of having Hepatitis C is referred to as ‘acute' infection and some people can clear the infection during this time, either naturally or through treatment. However, clearing the infection does not lead to immunity.

For more information about Hepatitis, speak to a CNWL health adviser atwww.sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk

For more details:

Contact Senior Communications Officer Jeremy Dunning on 0203 214 5756 or email jeremy.dunning@nhs.net

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL
Tel: 020 3214 5756 e-mail:
communications.cnwl@nhs.net