We must beat hepatitus C stigma
People at risk include those who have used intravenous drugs, shared spoons, had blood transfusion before 1991, snorted cocaine, had unprotected sex, tattoos or body piercings where non sterile equipment was used.
A man who lived with the Hepatitis C virus for 20 years without knowing it is now at the centre of a campaign to raise awareness about the illness.
Mark McKay, who lives in Newmarket Road, Norwich, was diagnosed with Hepatitis C six years ago, but has no idea how he contracted the virus.
He was horrified when, on his 45th birthday, he received a letter from the Blood Transfusion Service to say it had detected the virus after he had given blood.
Mr McKay, 51, said: “When I first read the letter I did not know too much about Hepatitis C but when I found out later that it was potentially fatal I did get a bit worried. Information is also hard to come by.”
Mr McKay is one of several people with Hepatitis C who have agreed to appear in a national campaign to try to reduce the stigma attached to the virus.
An exhibition featuring giant photographic portraits of people living with Hepatitis C will be launched in Gentleman's Walk, Norwich, from tomorrow and will stay up for two days.
It is part of the Government's new Hepatitis C Action Plan for England launched in March 2005, which aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C.
It is estimated that 200,000 people in England have chronic Hepatitis C infection but the majority are unaware of their condition which can cause serious damage to the liver.
Mr McKay, a business analyst at Norwich Union, said: “I don't have any symptoms at all, but I know there has been liver damage.
“I don't know how I got it. I used to work in operating theatres at a hospital and I may have picked it up from a needle stick injury.”
He said he had agreed to take part in the campaign because he wanted to help raise awareness of the illness.
“If you can get people to consider what they have done in the past, they might think it was worth getting tested.
“I would rather know I had it than not know because at least then I can take steps to mitigate it.”
The father-of-three said he was discussing his treatment options at present with his doctors at the N&N because the first treatment he had tried had left him with nasty side effects.
Dr Martin Phillips, consultant gastroenterologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said he was treating more and more patients for Hepatitis C in Norfolk but there were many others who had not been diagnosed.
“I am treating all ages men women and children, but the problem is there are often no symptom until the disease is very advanced,” he added.
People at risk include those who have used intravenous drugs, shared spoons, had blood transfusion before 1991, snorted cocaine, had unprotected sex, tattoos or body piercings where non sterile equipment was used.
But Dr Phillips said the latest treatments had a 50 to 80 per cent success rate in curing it, depending on the type.
He said people who thought they may have put themselves at risk should have a simple blood test at their GP surgery.
For more information ring the Hepatitis C Information line on (0800) 451 451 or go to www.hepc.nhs.uk
Are you campaigning to raise the profile of an illness? Call Evening News health reporter Sarah Hall on 01603 772426 or email sarah.hall2@archant.co.uk
A man who lived with the Hepatitis C virus for 20 years without knowing it is now at the centre of a campaign to raise awareness about the illness.
Mark McKay, who lives in Newmarket Road, Norwich, was diagnosed with Hepatitis C six years ago, but has no idea how he contracted the virus.
He was horrified when, on his 45th birthday, he received a letter from the Blood Transfusion Service to say it had detected the virus after he had given blood.
Mr McKay, 51, said: “When I first read the letter I did not know too much about Hepatitis C but when I found out later that it was potentially fatal I did get a bit worried. Information is also hard to come by.”
Mr McKay is one of several people with Hepatitis C who have agreed to appear in a national campaign to try to reduce the stigma attached to the virus.
An exhibition featuring giant photographic portraits of people living with Hepatitis C will be launched in Gentleman's Walk, Norwich, from tomorrow and will stay up for two days.
It is part of the Government's new Hepatitis C Action Plan for England launched in March 2005, which aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C.
It is estimated that 200,000 people in England have chronic Hepatitis C infection but the majority are unaware of their condition which can cause serious damage to the liver.
Mr McKay, a business analyst at Norwich Union, said: “I don't have any symptoms at all, but I know there has been liver damage.
“I don't know how I got it. I used to work in operating theatres at a hospital and I may have picked it up from a needle stick injury.”
He said he had agreed to take part in the campaign because he wanted to help raise awareness of the illness.
“If you can get people to consider what they have done in the past, they might think it was worth getting tested.
“I would rather know I had it than not know because at least then I can take steps to mitigate it.”
The father-of-three said he was discussing his treatment options at present with his doctors at the N&N because the first treatment he had tried had left him with nasty side effects.
Dr Martin Phillips, consultant gastroenterologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said he was treating more and more patients for Hepatitis C in Norfolk but there were many others who had not been diagnosed.
“I am treating all ages men women and children, but the problem is there are often no symptom until the disease is very advanced,” he added.
People at risk include those who have used intravenous drugs, shared spoons, had blood transfusion before 1991, snorted cocaine, had unprotected sex, tattoos or body piercings where non sterile equipment was used.
But Dr Phillips said the latest treatments had a 50 to 80 per cent success rate in curing it, depending on the type.
He said people who thought they may have put themselves at risk should have a simple blood test at their GP surgery.
For more information ring the Hepatitis C Information line on (0800) 451 451 or go to www.hepc.nhs.uk
Are you campaigning to raise the profile of an illness? Call Evening News health reporter Sarah Hall on 01603 772426 or email sarah.hall2@archant.co.uk
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