Derby Evening Telegraph
After spending more than two decades unaware she was living with a potentially fatal disease, Catherine Ridgway is using her experience to help others.
The 33-year-old contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion when she was three months old, which put her at risk of developing liver complications.
But it was not until her early twenties that she was actually diagnosed with the condition after donating blood.
Now, after a gruelling course of treatment, she is clear of the disease – and running a support group for some of the 40 people in Derby being treated for the virus.
And to mark World Hepatitis Day today, she has spoken about the condition.
The 33-year-old, of Far Laund, Belper, said she told only her family she had the virus because of the stigma attached to it, caused by people's fear of catching it and its association with the use of needles for drug use.
She said: "I want to help people. I don't want them to be alone.
"You're carrying a secret all the time and you're terrified of people catching it from you.
"It used to put me off trying to find a partner because of the fear of having to tell them about it."
Screening for hepatitis was introduced in 1990 – long after Catherine was given her blood transfusion.
Growing up, she lived with unexplained anxiety and tiredness so extreme that she was reluctant to take part in social events. She made multiple trips to the doctor, where she was screened for diabetes and anaemia. Then one night after arriving home from her job in finance at Thorntons in Somercotes, she found a letter informing her she had the condition.
She said: "It was really frightening. I was shocked. I didn't know what hepatitis C was."
She had to give medics details of her lifestyle and medical history and they traced the infection back to her transfusion as a baby. At that time, NHS funding for treatment was restricted in Derby to the most seriously ill patients.
But after it became more widespread she was given a six-month course of treatment – similar to chemotherapy – at Derby City General Hospital in 2007 which cured her.
It involves having a weekly injection of medication and taking daily capsules. Side-effects can include flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anaemia, panic attacks, anxiety and a greater chance of catching other illnesses due to a lowered immune system.
Catherine said: "I lost most of my hair, it's a horrible treatment."
Now she is happily settled with partner Rob Lowe and runs the 10-strong Hep C Support Derbyshire, which she launched in September last year.
The group meets on the second Thursday of each month at Chester Green Community Centre, in City Road, Derby, from 6pm to 8pm.
To mark World Hepatitis Day today, an information stand will be near the clock in St Peter's Street, Derby, from 1pm to 6pm.
To visit the support group's website, go to ww.hepcsupportderbyshire.co.uk
