A St George doctor says despite the high number of people affected by hepatitis, awareness about the virus remains relatively low.
The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SELHD) is looking to raise awareness about the virus during Hepatitis Awareness Week, which is currently running and ends on Saturday, July 29.
People living with hepatitis C can now be cured with new, easy-to-take and highly effective treatments. However, the challenges are different for hepatitis B which has no cure and, if left untreated, can lead to liver disease and cancer.
The health district is encouraging people to ask their GP to test for hepatitis and, where appropriate, to treat it.
St George Liver Clinic director Amany Zekry said despite the high prevalence of the virus, awareness of hepatitis remained relatively low.
“Hepatitis Awareness Week provides an opportunity for the community to become better informed about hepatitis B and C – how to prevent it, test for it, treat it and now, for hepatitis C, cure it.
“Awareness also encourages people to be tested and gain access to treatment if they need it.”
In NSW, over 11,000 people were treated for hepatitis C in 2016. With a cure rate of 95 per cent, it is now possible to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health concern in NSW and Australia.
“Most people with hepatitis C can now be cured in 8-12 weeks, with all-oral tablets, no injections and minimal side-effects,” Dr Zekry said.
St George Hospital and Sutherland Hospital are running events this week to raise awareness.
