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Prevention

Avoiding Hepatitis C

There is no vaccine to protect against hepatitis C, but there are a number of things that can be done to avoid becoming infected. To make sure you don't put yourself or others at risk:

  • Don't start injecting drugs, and don't help others to start
  • If you inject drugs, try to stop (for help, visit www.dart.on.ca)
  • If you're unable to stop injecting drugs, use only your own equipment and never share it. This includes needles, syringes, cookers, filters, spoons, water or anything else that might be contaminated with blood
  • Do not share pipes to smoke crack cocaine or other drugs
  • Do not share straws, bills or other utensils to snort cocaine or other drugs.
  • Think about how your sexual practices might result in blood transfer between you and your partner(s), and take steps to lessen these risks. Condoms provide some protection against sexual transmitted infections, but if your sexual practices are aggressive and result in bleeding, you and your partner(s) will need to consider ways to prevent blood-to-blood contact
  • If you are considering having a tattoo, piercing, acupuncture, medical, dental or cosmetic procedure, make sure that all equipment has been properly sterilized.
  • Do not share razors, toothbrushes, tweezers, manicure or pedicure equipment such as nail clippers

For information on needle exchange programs, visit www.ohrdp.ca

 

Prevalence in Canada

Hepatitis C is an infectious virus that is carried in the blood and affects approximately 240,000 Canadians. The number of people with Hepatitis C is increasing rapidly in Canada and around the world, primarily among those sharing needles and other drug equipment. Although the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has existed for a long time, it was only identified in 1989. HCV causes inflammation of the liver, which can progress to cirrhosis (extensive scarring that can inhibit the normal function of the liver).
Of the more 5,000 newly infected people each year, up to 70 percent experience no symptoms. For some, symptoms may not show up for 20 or 30 years. In the meantime, these people may unknowingly infect others. That is why it is important to know if you are at risk and how to take preventative action.

 

NWT has Canada's highest rate of Hep C


Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Monday, June 25, 2007


YELLOWKNIFE - Hepatitis C is a more serious issue in the NWT than that of HIV/AIDS, but on the upside, chances of diagnosing the disease early in the North are better.
Nurses and doctors in the Northwest Territories are more likely to test for Hepatitis C than anywhere else in Canada, and that could be one reason why the number of reported cases is high, said Andre Corriveau, Chief Medical Officer for the NWT, at the fourth National Aboriginal Hepatitis C conference in Yellowknife.
According to the most recent stats from the NWT's Department of Health and Social Services, 356 people in the territory have been diagnosed with the disease.
Wanda White, health protection and communicable disease specialist with Health and Social Services, said aboriginals account for more than half of the total cases.
In 2003-2005, 80 new cases were reported. So far the 2006-2007 year has yielded 27 new cases in the territory. Sixteen of the 2006-2007 infections were diagnosed among aboriginals.
The NWT has the highest rate per capita of Hepatitis C in Canada.
According to Health Canada the NWT rate of infection is 86.4 cases for every 100,000 population.
"I think you have to take that with a grain of salt," Corriveau said.
He said that the numbers are high because public health nurses in communities across the NWT are more likely to explain the symptoms and cause of infections to patients, and then testing will be done.
"I think our rates are high because we diagnose people," he said.
Hepatitis C today is not as scary as it once was, Corriveau said. If caught early enough, it can be treated with a six month regimen that involves taking pills.
However if it's too late and the disease has damaged the liver then there is cause for concern.
"The sooner they find out, the fewer complications," said Corriveau.
Liver transplants are not always necessary. Transplants only occur when the damage to the liver is too serious to treat.
"From the national average probably 10 per cent will go on to develop cirrhosis."
At that point a liver transplant is necessary.
"It's almost like a lottery to be eligible for transplant. If the liver fails and we can't get you a liver you're going to die," he said.
Corriveau compared Hepatitis C testing to the recent tuberculosis testing that has been taking place in the NWT.
"We have an issue that is certainly bigger than the TB issue and 10 times bigger than HIV."