Introduction to Hep C
Over 280,000 Australians are estimated to have been exposed to hepatitis C. Of these over 18,000 are South Australians. About 215,000 of those who are infected are living with chronic hepatitis C. In 2005, the Australian Federal Government published its National Hepatitis C Strategy 2005 – 2008 and the South Australian government has recently launched its Hepatitis C Action Plan.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver by the blood-borne Hepatitis C Virus. It results in liver inflammation and over time, can lead to chronic liver disease.
The hepatitis C virus is transmitted only from blood to bloodstream. Infection occurs when blood with hepatitis C virus gets into the bloodstream of another person.
Some people with hepatitis C experience flu-like symptoms. Others don't have any symptoms in the first ten years or so after infection.