A free drop-in Hepatitis C testing clinic will be available in Carlisle on Saturday.
The NHS viral hepatitis team will be in the Market Hall from 11am to 3.30pm and nurses will carry out finger prick tests with instant results.
Angela Sinkinson is a viral hepatitis nurse at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. She 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.
Some of the risks of contracting Hepatitis C are:
- Having a blood transfusion or blood products prior to 1991 in the UK.
- Having a tattoo or body piercing abroad.
- Ever snorting or injecting drugs – including steroids – and even if it was only once.
- Born in or having a medical procedure in an area which has a higher prevalence of blood borne viruses, such as Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa.
- Having 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.
- Having any other blood to blood contact such as sharing razors or toothbrushes.
Hepatitis C is treatable – and is usually one tablet a day for eight to 12 weeks.
Testing can also be arranged at GP practices, sexual health clinics and drug and alcohol teams.
