May 21 2010 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Friday
Hepatitis C awareness campaign
LIFE-SAVING action is being taken by local nurses to help those suffering from a “silent but deadly” disease.
More than 700 people in Dumfries and Galloway have been diagnosed as having Hepatitis C — a cancer-causing virus — in the last 10 years.
But hundreds more are thought to have the disease with most people not even knowing they are sufferers.
And now people across the region at risk of having the blood-borne virus are being encouraged to come forward for testing.
As part of a Scottish Government campaign, which aims to tackle the country’s epidemic, target groups such as former injecting drug users, people who had a blood transfusion in the UK before 1992 and anyone who may have shared items, such as razors, with someone who has the virus are being called upon.
According to Elaine Ross, nurse consultant and co-ordinator of NHS Dumfries and Galloway's Hepatitis C Managed Care Network, the viral infection can have “serious consequences” if it is not diagnosed and treated.
She said: “The good news is that in many cases it can be cleared completely with appropriate treatment. Unfortunately many people with the virus are unaware that they are infected.”
Those who may be at risk are asked to contact their GP or visit a testing clinic.
She added: “This includes anyone who has ever injected or snorted drugs, no matter how recently or long ago that was and even if it was only once. People who had blood transfusions in the UK before 1992 or people who may have had un-sterile medical treatment abroad or unhygienic tattoos in the UK.”
A blood-borne virus information session is being held at St Georges Hall on George Street in Dumfries, between 1pm and 4pm.
