Author: Jethwa, Janki

Bristol and Severn Hepatitis c network

Where can you be seen?

We provide testing, treatment and support for people with hepatitis C across the region.
Bristol
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Bristol Drug Project (Brunswick Square)
South Bristol Community Hospital
Southmead Hospital
Contact us on:
HepatitisNurses@UHBristol.nhs.uk
Tel: 0117 3421104 (BRI)
Tel: 0117 9505050 (ask for Hepatology)
Gloucester
Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals
Cheltenham General Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 6056
Bath
Royal United Hospitals
Turning Point (Trowbridge)
Contact us on: ruh-tr.hepatology@nhs.net
Tel: 01225 826471
Yeovil
Yeovil District Hospital
Tel: 01935 475122 (ask for Hepatology)
Prisons
HMP Horfield Bristol
HMP Eastwood Park
HMP Leyhill

Bristol and Severn Hepatitis c network

Bristol Royal Infirmary
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Royal United Hospital Bath
Yeovil District Hospital

Find out more about what we do at:
http://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/hepc/

"I have been very happy with all the care and treatment I have received. I have been treated with respect and have had all my anxieties listened to and answered."

Hepatitis C

SO, DO YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE HEPATITIS C?
If so, please try and put to one side all you may have heard about this disease and how it is treated previously, and start from scratch right here.
hepatitis C is curable
it is possible to get tested by dry blood spot, rather than taking blood
new treatment options, just one tablet a day for 8-12 weeks
minimal side effects (unlike past Interferon treatment)*
you don't need to be drug free to be treated
if left untreated, it can cause serious damage to your liver
it's really easy to get tested or refer yourself for treatment
SO WHY NOT GIVE US A TRY - YOU’VE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE ...
*less than 10% of patients will experience side effects from the HCV drugs, and of these the most common side effects are headache, fatigue and nausea.

What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis C, sometimes called hep C or HCV, is a virus that is carried in the blood and body fluids which infects and damages the liver.
The hepatitis C virus infects the cells in your liver causing inflammation (swelling and tenderness). Over time, usually many years, this can lead to cirrhosis of the liver*.
Hepatitis C affects people very differently—many people with it may have no symptoms at all and may never know they have the virus. Many find some of their symptoms come and go and some may find they have the following symptoms:
Mild to serious tiredness (fatigue)
Anxiety or depression
Weight loss
Loss of appetite and/or feeling sick
Discomfort in the liver area
Joint and muscle aches
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats and headaches
* Cirrhosis is a condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and prevents your liver from working normally.
TREATMENT
Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) are the most effective treatment option for people with hepatitis C and are the NICE and NHS England recommended medications.
Choice of DAA is dependent on the type of hepatitis C virus you have (genotype), past treatment response, the level of active virus in your body (viral load) and if there is cirrhosis (degree of liver damage shown by scarring of the liver).
Ribavirin may be added to the treatment when patients have a high viral load or more advanced liver disease, to increase the chance of achieving a cure.
Drug interactions are very important to consider in people receiving DAA therapy, as they can sometimes affect how well the treatment works (eg oral contraceptives), or contribute to side effects. It is essential that all co-prescribed medication is first checked for drug to drug interactions using https://www.hep-druginteractions.org/.
DAAs and ribavirin cannot be prescribed safely during pregnancy and some drugs can affect conception also. These risks will be discussed with patients prior to starting treatment.