Hep C: More than 70% of Bristolians 'know nothing' of virus

A man diagnosed with Hepatitis C says he is proof it can be treated and cured as he urges others to get tested.

Keith Hathaway, 48, from Bristol, is supporting European Testing Week (ETW) - a health initiative that aims to increase blood testing efforts.

He said: "When I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, it was a shock."

A total of 73% of people living in Bristol have limited or no knowledge of the condition, an Opinion Matters survey has revealed.

People are now being encouraged to get a home-test kit if they think they are at risk of contracting the virus, which can cause irreversible damage to the liver.

Mr Hathaway began his own treatment in 2019 before going on to work for the Hepatitis C Trust in 2022, raising awareness of the virus and aiding others with a diagnosis.

"I'm lucky that it was picked up when it was," he said. "It's so important people get a test if they are at risk.

"I think people sometimes assume that Hepatitis C only affects drug users or homeless people.

"That's not the case and I've worked with everyone from people in gyms, to people who've caught it from a tattoo.

"My friends and I didn't know anything about it. I'm living proof that Hepatitis C can be cured and treated."

ETW is promoting awareness of a range of illnesses, including Hepatitis C, and encouraging people to get tested earlier.

The continent-wide initiative is a partnership of organisations across communities, health care and policy institutions.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus, acquired via blood-to-blood contact with someone who is infected.

The most common way the virus is passed on is through shared needles and other drug-taking paraphernalia.

In many cases, people who have the virus may well have lived with it for decades before they start to notice symptoms, at which point they may have untreatable damage to their liver.

However, the virus has an almost 100% cure rate when using simple antivirals.

Rachel Halford, chief executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, said: "With public awareness of Hepatitis C so low, there is a lack of testing within the general public - there may be thousands of people who do not know they are at risk of the virus.

"If you are concerned about Hepatitis C, it's never been easier to get tested. The at-home testing kit from the NHS will help you to quickly and confidentially find out if you have the virus so that you can start your treatment straight away."

The symptoms are flu-like, including muscle aches, loss of appetite, over-tiredness and depression, so it is easy for a patient to be unaware they have contracted the virus.