Posted: 29-Sep-2006 << BACK
HEPATITIS C is curable. Isle Of Man Today
That's the message from acting director of public health Dr Parameswaran Kishore, as World Hepatitis Awareness Day approaches.
Sunday will see local services, including health promotion, public health and the Drug Advice Service and Helpline, come together to raise awareness.
Shelly Craig, DASH manager, said the campaign hoped to encourage those who may have been exposed to be tested and to encourage those diagnosed to get the right support.
Dr Kishore added: 'There is a misconception, even among many healthcare professionals, that Hepatitis C is untreatable or that the treatments are experimental.
'This is not the case at all. There are anti-viral drugs available, which can eliminate the virus and produce a cure. Unfortunately, not everyone who can benefit from the treatment is being offered it this is not confined to the Isle of Man but is applicable across the UK.'
Dawn Henley, senior health promotion officer, said: 'We also need to dispel this myth that Hepatitis C is only contracted by injecting drugs users. While it is true that the virus can be transmitted in this way as well as sharing straws or notes for snorting drugs, it has become clear there is a lot of misunderstanding about the nature of the virus.'
Hepatitis C is most commonly spread through blood transfusions (prior to September 1991), or blood products such as clotting factors (before 1986). All blood in the British Isles is now screened.
The virus is spread by sharing equipment for injecting drugs and by sharing straws or notes for snorting drugs.
Although less common, hepatitis C can also be transmitted during medical and dental treatment in countries where hepatitis C is common and where equipment might not have been sterilised.
It can be caught when having a tattoo or a piercing using equipment that is not sterile. Razors or toothbrushes contaminated with blood from someone with the virus pose a danger, as does unprotected sex with someone with the virus.
A mother with hepatitis C can pass it on to her baby before and during birth.
For further information and advice, contact DASH on 615622 or health promotion on 642592. Support group Manx Liverty can be emailed on liverty@manx.net and public health at healthpromotion@publichealth.dhss.gov.im
